UEFA Champions League final viewers can watch the final at no extra cost tonight, despite an ongoing row over TNT Sports not making the event free-to-air. In 2026, supporters now have to fork out extra money to watch the match live via the big screen.
TNT acquired rights to both the Champions League and Europa League finals, announcing that there will be no free-to-air or free-to-stream outlet. TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate can be accessed via HBO Max, with customers needing to purchase HBO's £4.99 Basic With Ads subscription.
But customers of Virgin Media can bypass this with a special pop-up channel. Channel 526 will simulcast live coverage of the Europa League final without needing a TNT Sports or HBO Max subscription, according to rxtvinfo.com.
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta on Champions League Final
It comes as Mikel Arteta dismissed suggestions the pressure is off Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final after their first Premier League title for 22 years.
“The ambition is bigger,” the manager said. “We have one, and now we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more. And the team is capable, because we’ve shown it in the last two seasons, in this competition. What we’ve done this season in the competition, and I want the players to be so confident that we’re going to win.”
The Premier League winning manager went on: “That they want more. Going through those moments brings you a different kind of desire. Because you lift it, you know exactly how it feels. You want to reproduce that feeling as many times as possible. We have the opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of this football club. And in order to do that, we have to play with such clarity, a lot of courage, and a relentless desire to win. We have those three aspects, and I’m sure we’re going to be close to winning.”
Bukayo Saka's Perspective
Bukayo Saka said: “We all know where my journey started as a seven- or eight-year-old at Hale End – it was a long, long way away from trying to win the Champions League with Arsenal. It feels like this last week it’s all become a reality and tomorrow is another exciting opportunity to create more history and win another for the club that I love. That goes a long way and it helped us win the title and hopefully it will give us an advantage on the pitch here.”
