Sport24.az
From now on, Champions League matches will start 3 hours earlier. Sport24.az reports that UEFA has announced that, starting from the 2025/26 season, the decisive matches of the tournament will start at 18:00 Central European Time (20:00 Baku time).
The UEFA statement reads:
"This decision aims to improve the overall experience of match day for fans, teams and host cities. This will be achieved through optimized logistics and operations and will provide a number of notable advantages. Our goal is to make match day truly enjoyable for everyone who wants to participate in this great event and to make it easier for families and children to come to the biggest and most important club game of the season.
For fans coming from other cities, this change will allow for easier access to public transport - especially after the game - and a safe and comfortable return from the stadium. For the organizing cities, this will increase the positive economic impact of the event, as fans will be able to continue the festive mood.
The new broadcast time will also contribute to the formation of a more accessible broadcast schedule, which will help to reach the final game to a wider television and digital audience around the world - with special attention paid to attracting young viewers."
It should be noted that the final of the 2026 UEFA Champions League will be held on May 30 at the "Puskas Arena" in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
