Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged broadcaster TNT Sports to make next weekend’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain free-to-air for viewers across the UK.In a letter to TNT Sports executives, Starmer said he was “saddened” that British fans would need to pay a subscription to watch the Champions League final for the first time in more than three decades.Starmer wrote: “I strongly believe the final of this game should continue to be free to watch, whether Arsenal advance or not.”
‘This is bigger than Arsenal’
Starmer, a long-time Arsenal supporter, said the issue went beyond club loyalty and was about enabling everyone to watch important sporting moments.“It’s about supporters of all the teams gathering in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch Europe’s most elite players battle it out,” he said.The Prime Minister added that “hard-working people should not worry about paying for a subscription” to watch such an important match.Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest next Saturday, the London club’s first appearance in 20 years.
TNT Sports defends subscription model
TNT Sports responded by saying that fans can watch all three UEFA club competition finals with a £4.99 per month subscription to Warner Bros. Discovery Channel’s streaming platform HBO Max.The broadcaster described the offer as “extraordinary value” and noted that it covers not only the Champions League final, but also the Europa League and conference finals.This season marks the first time all three European club finals have been played entirely in the UK.
The end of a long tradition of free broadcasting
The Champions League final has been broadcast free-to-air in the UK every year since the modern format began in 1992.ITV began broadcasting finals free-to-air in 1993, while BT Sport continued the practice after acquiring the rights in 2015, streaming matches for free online.However, after BT Sport was rebranded as TNT Sports under Warner Bros. Discovery, viewers needed to sign up through Discovery+ and now HBO Max, which no longer offers a free viewing option.
No plans to achieve Crown Jewel status
The UK government currently has no plans to make the Champions League final a protected “crown jewel” sporting event, a move that would legally require it to be broadcast free of charge.Starting from the 2027-28 season, TNT Sports will lose its European football broadcast rights. Paramount+ will broadcast the Champions League, while Sky Sports will take over the Europa League and conference broadcasts.
