UEFA changes 2026 Champions League final kick-off

UEFA has already made the change. The governing body said on August 28, 2025 that the Champions League final would move from its usual 21:00 CET start to 18:00 CET beginning with the 2026 final in Budapest. UEFA described the move as a matchday scheduling update tied to logistics and operations for fans, teams and host cities. (uefa.com) That means the 2025/26 final on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Puskás Aréna is listed at 18:00 on UEFA’s official competition and ticketing pages. (uefa.com) UEFA’s match-specific final page also states that the earlier start is intended to improve the overall matchday experience. (uefa.com) ### When did UEFA actually make the change? August 28, 2025 is the date UEFA published the schedule change. The announcement said the new kickoff time would apply “starting with the 2026 final in Budapest,” making this a season-level policy shift rather than a late adjustment in the week of the match. (uefa.com) OneFootball’s item matched that timeline. Its report, carried from Football Italia, said UEFA had announced that the 2026 final would kick off at 18:00 CET rather than 21:00. ### What exactly changed on the clock? The change is a three-hour move forward. UEFA said the final would start at 18:00 CET instead of 21:00 CET, breaking with the nighttime slot long associated with the competition’s showpiece match. (uefa.com) UEFA’s 2025/26 fixtures page reflects that timing in the competition schedule. The final entry for May 30 lists the championship match in Budapest at 18:00 CET. (uefa.com) ### What reason did UEFA give? UEFA said the decision was designed to “enhance the overall matchday experience” by optimizing logistics and operations. The governing body said the earlier kickoff would bring benefits for supporters, clubs and host cities. (onefootball.com) UEFA’s final explainer repeats the same rationale. Its page on the 2026 final says the earlier kickoff is intended to improve logistics and operations compared with previous years. (uefa.com) ### Where and when is the 2026 final? Budapest is the host city for the 2026 final. UEFA’s final page says the match is set for Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Puskás Aréna in the Hungarian capital. (uefa.com) UEFA’s broader 2026 European football calendar also includes the Champions League final among its listed dates for the year. That places the kickoff change within UEFA’s official event schedule rather than in a separate media note. (uefa.com) ### Where can readers check the official listing themselves? UEFA’s competition page for the 2026 final carries the kickoff time and venue details. (uefa.com) UEFA’s ticketing help page also lists the final at 18:00 CEST at Puskás Aréna in Budapest. As of May 25, 2026, UEFA’s “when is the final where you are” page also lists the match between Paris and Arsenal on May 30 at 18:00 CEST. (uefa.com) That is the next scheduled milestone in the competition. (uefa.com 1) (uefa.com 2)