UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin: UEFA announced on Thursday that starting with the 2026 final in Budapest, the Champions League final will kick off three hours earlier at 18:00 CET instead of 21:00 CET.
The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams, and host cities by optimising logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits. Our goal is to make matchday 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.
"For travelling supporters, it will mean improved access to public transport – especially after the match – and a safer, more convenient journey back from the stadium. For the host cities, it will boost the positive economic impact of the event by giving fans the possibility to continue their celebrations," UEFA said in a statement.
