Champions League final LIVE
Europe’s two best teams face off in the Champions League final tonight in mouth-watering and fascinating conclusion to the European season. It is the Parisian's fearsome front three against the Gunners’ brick wall of a back four and their set-piece prowess. The most beautiful football against the brutalist approach of the modern game, facing off in Budapest for the biggest prize.
PSG are the holders, looking to go back to back, and are the favourites tonight. Ousmane Dembele is fit, and Achraf Hakimi is in the squad after a month out - will he start? Arsenal, six days on from lifting the Premier League trophy, are as intimidating an opponent as you could get, with the momentum and drive needed to win their first ever European crown. Will Jurrien Timber start?
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal remain unbeaten heading into the final, with 11 wins from their 14 games, but Luis Enrique’s PSG side comfortably beat them last season and have dispatched the many English sides who dared to take them on in the last few years. Will that change today? Follow the Champions League final LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the Puskas Arena.
Triple injury boost for PSG
Paris Saint-Germain have all of Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes available for selection tonight.
Right-back Hakimi had been a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury, having not played since the 5-4 semi-final first-leg win against Bayern Munich on April 28. Luis Enrique has named him in the squad and declared him fit to feature.
There were also concerns surrounding forward Dembele’s condition after a calf injury that forced him off early in the final Ligue 1 game of the season against Paris FC, but he has since shaken off the issue and confirmed he is “100 per cent” ready to play.
Nuno Mendes will complete a stalwart defensive unit after also being passed fit following a thigh complaint that has seen him absent since the second-leg draw with Bayern.
How to watch the Champions League final
For the first time in history, the Champions League final will not be available on free-to-air TV in the UK.
Ever since the competition took over from the old European Cup in 1992, each year’s final has been available to watch without a subscription - whether that be on ITV, BT Sport or TNT Sports.
Furthermore, in previous years the Champions League final has been broadcast for free on YouTube by the subscription service.
However, TNT Sports, the UK rights holder of UEFA club competitions, has confirmed that viewers will only be able to watch the clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on today on either its own platform or HBO Max, which both require a subscription.
The reason for this is because TNT Sports feel a subscription for HBO Max is “exceptional value” from £4.99. You know what is even more exceptional? Free.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has since urged the broadcaster to reverse the decision to allow Arsenal fans in the UK to watch the Champions League final for free, but it fell on deaf ears.
How to watch PSG vs Arsenal
TV channel: In the UK, Saturday evening’s Champions League final showdown between PSG and Arsenal is being shown live on TNT Sports. Coverage begins at 3pm BST on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can watch the action live online via the HBO Max app and website.
Why is the final kicking off at 5pm?
Much has changed since Arsenal’s last appearance in a Champions League final.
Most notably the day on which the final is staged. 20 years ago in Paris, Arsenal were beaten by Barcelona on a Wednesday evening, but since the 2009-10 season it has been the tradition for the Champions League final to be held on a Saturday night.
That decision was taken to make the showpiece “more of a family occasion” and a new kick-off time which comes into effect for PSG vs Arsenal is to improve fan experience.
UEFA announced back in August that starting from the 2025-26 season, the kick-off time for the Champions League final had been brought forward to 5pm BST.
The decision to switch from a 8pm BST kick-off is to "enhance the matchday experience and benefit fans, teams and host cities".
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: "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."
A lovely touch from Mikel Arteta and the club for those on the club-chartered planes to Budapest, everyone getting a message from the boss.
Gooners,
WE have made history together this season.
On behalf of the players, coaches and everyone at the club, we thank you. We are so proud and happy for everybody involved in this football club.
This season, you have made matches unique by creating a special atmosphere and energy. You have fought for every ball with us and have helped us achieve something really memorable. This achievement belongs to all of us.
On Saturday, after 20 years, and for only the second time in our history, we are playing in a men’s UEFA Champions League Final.
As we all head to Budapest, you are our 12th player. From the hours before kick-off, into the first whistle and for every single minute, let’s give everything together to win this trophy for the first time.
Let’s get behind our incredible players to make history.
We are proud of you, and we thank you.
Vamos!
Mikel Arteta Manager, Arsenal Football Club
From Bilbao to Budapest
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign began all the way back in September with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the league phase.
Thirteen games later, the Gunners arrive in Budapest seeking to make history.
UEFA Champions League - Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal
UEFA Champions League - Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal
Star showing: Bukayo Saka
Matt Verri in Budapest
Matt Verri has spoken to a few Arsenal fans in Budapest to see how they are feeling ahead of kick-off.
What awaits Arsenal fans
When Arsenal fans get to their seats inside the Puskas Arena, they will have a nice red flag to wave.
Raya chasing clean sheet record
David Raya has kept nine clean sheets in the Champions League this season.
The record number of clean sheets kept by a goalkeeper in a UEFA Champions League season is ten - held jointly by former Arsenal stopper Jens Lehmann and ex-Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas.