UEFA has changed the schedule for the start of the Champions League matches
Now the decisive games of the tournament will start at 18:00 Central European Time (19:00 Kyiv time). Previously, the finals began at 22:00 Kyiv time.
In its communication, UEFA stated that the innovation is designed to facilitate the participation of fans, teams, and host cities. This will help attract a larger audience, including young people, by improving transport links for spectators from other cities.
«We aim to enhance the overall experience for fans, teams, and cities on matchdays by optimizing logistics and operations. Our goal is to make matchday truly enjoyable for everyone who wants to participate in this event and create a comfortable atmosphere that allows families and children to attend the biggest and most important matches of the club season»
Additionally, the hosts of the playoff matches will now depend on the teams' results in the previous stages, which will give weight to the positions in the overall stage. This applies to all three European cup competitions and will take into account the geographical location of the clubs.
«For example, in last season's quarterfinals, 'Arsenal', which was in third place in the overall stage, faced 'Real', which was 11th. If 'Real' had won, the venue for the next matches would have been determined as if the Madrid club had been in third place»
UEFA is confident that these changes will make the tournament more exciting for fans, teams, and television viewers around the world.
UEFA is making changes to the start time of the Champions League matches to ease the participation of fans, teams, and organizers and to make the tournament more interesting for a wider audience.