UEFA Moves Champions League Final to 18:00 Daytime Slot

UEFA announced that the Champions League final will be played in daylight for the first time. The match is set for 18:00 hours. The traditional night kick‑off is being abandoned.

The 18:00 slot replaces the usual evening start that has defined the competition since its inception. The decision applies only to the upcoming final, not to previous editions.

UEFA said the shift is driven by a commercial positioning strategy. The aim is to maximise global audience figures.

A daytime slot is intended to be more reachable for viewers across multiple continents. The earlier start aligns with prime viewing windows in Asia, the Americas and Africa.

The new schedule will be evaluated after the final to assess its impact on viewership. If successful, UEFA may consider similar timing for future marquee events.