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The UEFA Champions League final is set to take place on Saturday, featuring defending champions Paris Saint-Germain facing Arsenal in a clash that promises fireworks both on and off the field.

The Ligue 1 champions will meet the Premier League winners in Budapest, with Luis Enrique’s side aiming to retain the title they secured last year in Munich with a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.

The two sides last met in the semi-finals of the previous season, where PSG triumphed 3-1 on aggregate. Arsenal, however, will be eager for redemption after overcoming Atletico Madrid in a fiercely contested semi-final.

Mikel Arteta’s team will look to crown an extraordinary campaign with a famous double, having already beaten Manchester City to the Premier League title.

This year, UEFA has altered the kick-off time for the final, scheduling the match to start at 5pm BST on 30 May. Additionally, UK broadcaster TNT Sports has decided not to make the final free-to-air for the first time in the modern era.

This new schedule marks a three-hour shift from previous years, when the final began at 8pm BST. UEFA explained the reasoning behind the change in an official statement.

“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,” UEFA stated. “Our goal is to make matchday an enjoyable experience for everyone, and to create an environment that encourages families and children to attend the biggest club football match of the season.”

UEFA further noted that the earlier start would improve access to public transport for travelling supporters, making post-match journeys safer and more convenient. Host cities, it added, would also benefit economically, as the adjusted schedule allows fans more time to celebrate after the game.

“The new kick-off time also aligns with a more accessible broadcasting window, helping the final reach an even broader television and digital audience worldwide, with a particular focus on engaging younger viewers,” the statement continued.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin commented that the change would enable fans to enjoy the rest of their evening after the match and reflect on the season as a whole. “With this change, we are placing the fans' experience at the heart of our planning. The UEFA Champions League final is the pinnacle of the football season, and the new timing will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and memorable for all involved,” he said.

He further added, “While a 21:00 CET kick-off works well for midweek fixtures, an earlier Saturday start ensures an earlier finish — even with extra time or penalties — giving fans the chance to enjoy the remainder of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game of the season.”

In the United Kingdom, fans can watch the final live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST. The match will also be available to stream via HBO Max and the HBO app. Notably, for the first time since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992, the final will not be broadcast free-to-air in the UK.

In the United States, English-language coverage will air on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Spanish-language broadcasts will be available on Univision and TUDN, with additional streaming options via Fubo.

The pre-match show will feature a headline performance by The Killers. In past years, artists such as Linkin Park and Lenny Kravitz have taken the stage before the final.

Arsenal’s road to the final:

League phase – finished 1st

MD 1: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

MD 2: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiakos

MD 3: Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid

MD 4: Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

MD 5: Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

MD 6: Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal

MD 7: Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal

MD 8: Arsenal 3-2 Kairat

Last 16

1st leg: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

2nd leg: Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Aggregate: Arsenal 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Quarter-final

Semi-final

1st leg: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

2nd leg: Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Aggregate: Arsenal 2-1 Atletico Madrid

PSG’s road to the final:

League phase – finished 11th

MD 1: PSG 4-0 Atalanta

MD 2: Barcelona 1-2 PSG

MD 3: Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 PSG

MD 4: PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich

MD 5: PSG 5-3 Tottenham

MD 6: Athletic Bilbao 0-0 PSG

MD 7: Sporting 2-1 PSG

MD 8: PSG 1-1 Newcastle

Knockout phase play-offs

Last 16

Quarter-final

Semi-final