UEFA Confirms Changes to Champions League Final Schedule and Rewards

The UEFA Champions League is set for a significant shift as European football’s governing body has confirmed a new kick-off time for the final, along with a detailed breakdown of prize money for the 2025/26 season.

The announcement came ahead of the group stage draw in Monaco, marking another step in UEFA’s ongoing efforts to reshape Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

Earlier Kick-Off for the Final

From the 2025/26 campaign, the Champions League final will no longer be played under the familiar late-night lights. Instead, UEFA has moved the showpiece match to 5PM GMT (6PM WAT), three hours earlier than the traditional 8PM slot.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin explained that the change is designed to enhance the overall experience for fans, players, and host cities. 

“While a 21:00 CET kick-off is well suited for midweek matches, an earlier kick-off on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish regardless of extra time or penalties and offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game of the season,” he said in a statement.

This season’s final will take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, bringing Europe’s biggest night of football to Hungary.

Prize Money Breakdown Remains the Same

While UEFA has hinted at ambitions to increase revenue in coming years, the prize pool for this season remains unchanged from last year. Each of the 36 clubs in the new format will earn a fixed €18.6 million participation fee. Performance bonuses will add to that, with €2.1 million awarded for each win and €700,000 for a draw during the group stage.

Progression through the competition also comes with lucrative rewards:

• Playoff qualification: €1 million
  
• Round of 16: €11 million
  
• Quarter-finals: €12.5 million
  
• Semi-finals: €15 million
  
• Finalists: €18.5 million each
  
• Champion: additional €6.5 million
  

On top of this, a ranking bonus will be distributed in the group stage, ranging from €275,000 for the lowest-ranked club to €9.9 million for the top-ranked side.

Last season, Paris Saint-Germain emerged as the first winners of the revamped Champions League, defeating Inter Milan 5–0 in Munich to claim their maiden European crown. 

Their campaign, despite struggles in the group stage, earned them around €148 million in prize money. This year’s champions could surpass that figure with consistent results throughout the tournament.

A New Era for Europe’s Premier Club Competition

The changes mark another step in UEFA’s modernization of the Champions League. The expanded league phase, staggered fixtures, and now the earlier kick-off for the final all point to a competition that is evolving both for global broadcast audiences and the in-stadium experience.

For fans across the world, it means Europe’s biggest football night will be enjoyed earlier, while for clubs, the prize money ensures that the competition remains not just the most prestigious, but also the most financially rewarding tournament in world football.