The UEFA Champions League final will be played at 6 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) rather than the customary 9 p.m. kickoff. UEFA made this change for the 2026 final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena in response to enhancing the fan experience. This adjustment aims to ease travel for attendees leaving the stadium and improve accessibility for viewers worldwide.

“The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams, and host cities… to make matchday a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement.” - UEFA.
Translation: “Die Entscheidung soll das gesamte Spielerlebnis für Fans, Teams und Gastgeberstädte verbessern… um das Matchday-Erlebnis für jeden, der Teil der Aufregung sein möchte, wirklich angenehm zu gestalten.”

Changing the match time will facilitate better public transportation access after the event, which will also encourage continued celebrations in host cities. The new schedule aligns with a more viewer-friendly broadcasting timeline, aiming to engage younger audiences.