Uefa has changed the traditional time for this season’s Champions League final. The decision between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will take place on Saturday at 1 pm (Brasília time), three hours earlier than the standard of previous editions. The game will be played at 6pm local time on Arena Puskás, on Budapeste, on Hungria.
The European confederation justified the change with arguments focused on the fans’ experience. The anticipation seeks to facilitate the presence of families and children, optimize operational logistics and improve access to public transport for visitors.
Motivos behind Uefa’s decision
The decision was taken in October last year, when the tournament was still between the third and fourth rounds of the league phase. Uefa defined the new schedule with the aim of “improving the overall game day experience for fans, teams and host cities”, according to an official statement.
Aleksander Čeferin, president of Uefa, said the move puts fans at the center of planning. “The Liga Campeões Final is the highlight of the football season, and the new start time will make it even more accessible, inclusive and impactful for everyone involved,” he commented.
Benefícios operational and logistical
Bringing forward the schedule brings concrete advantages to the Budapeste infrastructure. Public transport will be made easier, with visitors having better access to services before sunset. Arena Puskás is approximately 2km from the historic center, and the city hall has implemented additional transport services to complement the existing network.
Sair from the stadium earlier allows fans to remain on the city streets longer. PSG’s Delegações and Arsenal will have greater flexibility with their travel plans, being able to return home on the same day. The consultancy Football Benchmark highlighted that the central location of Budapeste, in the heart of Europa, makes the city accessible to the entire continent.
Deixar the city with more sunlight also promotes greater circulation of local economic resources. In the 2023 report on Istambul, Instituto of Economia of Mastercard revealed that that year’s Champions final injected $120 million into the local economy.
Vantagens for broadcast and audience
The new schedule expands the game’s broadcast “window”. The match will be shown in more than 200 countries, potentially increasing viewing figures and digital reach. Uefa hopes the anticipation will attract more viewers in different time zones.
Ronan Evain, director of Associação of Torcedores of Europa (FSE), fully supported the measure. “An earlier start to the game makes day trips more viable, reduces travel stress and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about overnight logistics,” he said.
Infraestrutura from Arena Puskás and access
Arena Puskás, opened in 2019, has a capacity for 67 thousand people, but will receive 61,400 fans in the final. Sua construction cost 533 million euros. The stadium will be the stage for the decision between the 2 biggest forces in European football.
Torcedores with a ticket will be able to board certain Budapeste subway lines for free on game day. Serviço express bus will also connect the airport to the city center. Não there will be public parking at the stadium.
Meeting points for PSG and Arsenal fans will be within “walking” distance of Arena Puskás, as reported by FSE. The European association had conversations with Uefa about transport, quality of services and interaction with the police. The cheapest ticket price was maintained at 70 euros, equivalent to approximately R$409.70.
Detalhes of the match and expectations
FSE maintains emphasis on the general organization of the event. The European fans association actively participated in discussions on logistics and security. The cooperation between Uefa, Budapeste city hall and local bodies established standards for holding the final.
Mais early, the championship reached the selection phase of the 2 finalists. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain earned their places in the decider through competition in the previous rounds. The match will be followed in real time on official digital platforms.
