Change for the Champions League final: Bayern fans will be pleased | OneFootball

The Champions League final has been one of the most-watched TV events in world football for years. Now, a significant change is on the horizon that is likely to affect millions of fans worldwide.

Starting from the final of the upcoming Champions League season, the kickoff will no longer be at 9 PM as before. UEFA announced on Thursday that the final will now begin at 6 PM. The new kickoff time will debut on May 30, 2026, in Budapest.

According to the association, the focus is on the fan experience. "With this change, we are putting the fan experience at the center of our planning," explained UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. The earlier kickoff is intended to make the final "more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all involved."

Early Start with Underlying Intentions

While UEFA points to more family-friendly conditions, another thought is likely playing a role: the prospect of a larger global TV audience. According to UEFA, the new kickoff time is intended to "reach an even broader TV audience worldwide." The other Champions League matches, particularly the group and knockout games, will mostly remain at the usual start time of 9 PM.

For FC Bayern, the road to the final is still long. Before Budapest becomes a topic, the group stage must first be mastered – and who the opponents will be is being decided today.

This Thursday evening, football Europe is eagerly looking to Monaco: Starting at 6 PM, the pairings for the new league phase of the Champions League will be drawn there. FC Bayern, as one of the top teams, is placed in pot 1, but can still expect a challenging schedule. They will play against eight different opponents – four times at home and four times away. Clubs from the same association may meet at most twice, and direct duels with Bundesliga teams are excluded.

The top eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16. The ranks nine to 24 will compete in additional playoffs to determine the other participants. Only then will the classic knockout stage follow – with home and away legs up to the final, which this time will kick off in the early evening.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.