TNT Sports will require a subscription to watch the Champions League final, a departure from previous years.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged TNT Sports to make the final free-to-air.
UEFA is reportedly unhappy with TNT Sports' decision, which they believe violates the spirit of their contract.
A one-month subscription to HBO Max, which includes the finals, is available for £4.99.
From 2027-28, Champions League rights will move to Paramount+, and Europa League/Conference League to Sky Sports.
Why this matters: This decision impacts millions of football fans in the UK, limiting access to a major sporting event. It also raises questions about the accessibility of sports broadcasting and the balance between commercial interests and public access.
TNT Sports' decision to require a subscription for the Champions League final marks a significant shift in how major football events are broadcast in the UK. Previously, BT Sport (now TNT Sports) streamed finals for free on YouTube, and before that, ITV broadcasted the games free-to-air.
The move has drawn criticism from fans and politicians alike, with Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, writing to TNT Sports to reconsider. Starmer emphasized the importance of the final being accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay for a subscription.
UEFA is also reportedly displeased, believing the decision goes against the "best endeavours" clause in their contract, which aims to ensure finals are widely available. The cheapest option to watch the game is a £4.99 subscription to HBO Max.
This change comes as broadcasting rights for UEFA competitions are set to shift again in 2027-28, with Paramount+ acquiring the Champions League rights and Sky Sports taking over the Europa League and Conference League.
Historical Context:
From 1993 until BT Sport won the rights, the Champions League final had been free on ITV each year - with the exception of the 1994 final, which the BBC showed live. BT Sport continued to make it available without a subscription through to 2023, simultaneously broadcasting the game on its YouTube channel. This changed after BT Sport was bought by Warner Bros Discovery and rebranded as TNT Sports.
Q: Why is the Champions League final not free to watch in the UK this year?
TNT Sports, the rights holder, is requiring a subscription to watch the final on HBO Max.
Q: How much does it cost to watch the Champions League final?
The cheapest option is a £4.99 one-month subscription to HBO Max.
Q: Will the Champions League final be free in the future?
From 2027-28, Paramount+ will hold the rights to the Champions League in the UK.
Q: Where can I watch highlights of the Champions League final?
Highlights will be available on the BBC Sport website, social media channels, BBC iPlayer, and television later in the evening.
UK fans will need to subscribe to HBO Max (£4.99) or TNT Sports to watch the Champions League final.
This is the first time since 1992 that the final will not be free-to-air in the UK.
The decision has sparked criticism from politicians and UEFA.
Broadcasting rights for UEFA competitions will change in 2027-28.
What do you think about the decision to make the Champions League final a subscription-only event? Will this trend continue in the future? Let us know your thoughts!
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