By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
UEFA has confirmed that the 2026 Champions League final in Budapest will kick off at 6:00 p.m. local time, three hours earlier than the traditional 9:00 p.m. slot.
The final, set for Saturday, May 30 at the Puskás Aréna, will benefit fans by easing travel logistics and allowing same-day trips, according to UEFA and Football Supporters Europe.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said while late kick-offs suit midweek fixtures, a Saturday final should finish earlier, even with extra time or penalties.
The Champions League final has been played on Saturdays since 2010. In 2025, Paris Saint-Germain lifted their first title with a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich.
