Arsenal Reach Champions League Final
Arsenal secured a victory over Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Starmer Appeals to TNT Sports
Sir Keir Starmer has urged TNT Sports to make the upcoming Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain, scheduled for next Saturday, available free-to-air. The UK Labour leader has written to the broadcaster to
"strongly urge you to reconsider"their decision to restrict the final to rs only.
Since the Champions League format was introduced to the European Cup in 1992, every final has been broadcast free of charge in the UK. Starmer expressed disappointment in a letter to TNT executives:
"I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that [the fixture] will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK."
Subscription Requirement for European Finals
Last week, it was announced that fans would require a subscription to watch all three European club finals this season, for which TNT holds the rights.
Starmer, an Arsenal supporter, emphasized the significance of the competition and the importance of accessibility:
"The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country - the home of football.
I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.
This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer's World Cup.
That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country."
Other Finals Also Behind Paywall
Fans were also required to have a TNT subscription to watch Aston Villa's Europa League final victory last week. The same subscription will be necessary to watch the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
TNT Sports Statement
In response, TNT Sports stated:
"It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season.
Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.
We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions."
Historical Context and Broadcasting Changes
Six years ago, a House of Lords select committee proposal to add the Champions League final to the list of "crown jewels" events, which would have guaranteed free-to-air status, was rejected by the previous government.
The Champions League final was broadcast free on ITV each year from 1993, except for 1994 when the BBC showed it live, until BT Sport acquired the rights starting with the 2015-16 season. BT Sport continued to offer the final without a subscription through 2023, including simultaneous streaming on its YouTube channel.
This changed after BT Sport was acquired by Warner Bros Discovery and rebranded as TNT Sports. While finals remained accessible without cost, fans had to for a Discovery+ account. Discovery+ has since been replaced by HBO Max, Warner Bros Discovery's new streaming service, which does not offer a free option.
Fans will not require a full TNT Sports subscription but can to HBO Max for one month. The lowest subscription price is £4.99, although many Sky customers already have HBO Max included at no additional cost.
Future Broadcasting Rights
From the 2027-28 season, TNT Sports will lose its European football rights. Paramount+ has secured the Champions League rights, while the Europa League and Conference League will move to Sky Sports.
Availability of Highlights and Radio Coverage
Highlights of the Champions League final will be available on the website and social media channels 15 minutes after the trophy presentation, and later on BBC and television. Live commentary for all three finals will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Arsenal's Recent Achievements
Arsenal, who have yet to win the Champions League, were confirmed as Premier League champions for the first time since 2004 earlier this week.
