Champions League major announcement made hours before draw in big change

UEFA have announced that the Champions League final will commence three hours earlier than usual this season when all attention turns to the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

The Champions League final has typically started at 9pm CET - which is 8pm in the UK. However, it will now begin at 6pm CET - meaning British audiences will witness a 5pm start.

This represents a significant change from UEFA's standard scheduling, with the overwhelming majority of their fixtures, from the group phases right through to the final, traditionally starting at 8pm.

The only fixtures to feature earlier kick-off times are those occurring in eastern Europe, matches in locations such as Russia. The alteration to the final constitutes the most substantial change to the tournament since they switched the day of the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday back in 2010.

UEFA justified their decision by stating: "The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising matchday logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits.

"Our goal is to make match day a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement, while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the season."

UEFA has highlighted the benefits of an earlier kick-off time for fans, particularly in terms of logistics after the final. Typically, both sets of supporters are visiting a new stadium, city, and often a new country.

UEFA also claimed that host cities could reap greater economic advantages. President Aleksander Ceferin stated: "With this change, we are placing the fans' experience at the heart of our planning. The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season, and the new kick-off time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved."

The Puskas Arena, built in 2019, will host its first Champions League final. The Budapest-based stadium can accommodate 67,155 spectators and was previously one of the venues used in the pan-European Euro 2020.

This season marks the first time Hungary will host the Champions League final. The arena was the venue for the Europa League final in 2022, where Sevilla triumphed over Jose Mourinho's Roma in a penalty shootout.

The stadium is named after the legendary Hungarian forward Puskas, who won the European Cup three times with Real Madrid and is the only player to score a hat-trick in two finals.