Keir Starmer has sent a letter to TNT sports requesting that the Champions League final be aired for free. The decision to charge fans to watch all three European finals has reportedly displeased UEFA, especially with English clubs in contention for multiple titles.
This will mark the first time in 34 years since the Champions League rebranding that UK viewers won’t have free access to the final without a subscription. In his letter, Starmer expressed disappointment over the lack of free viewing, emphasizing the significance of the Champions League to football fans in the UK.
Starmer emphasized that the final should be accessible to all fans, irrespective of the teams involved. He highlighted the importance of fans coming together to watch top European players compete without the financial burden of a subscription. He stressed the need to prioritize the fans’ viewing experience.
Previously, ITV held exclusive broadcasting rights for the Champions League final from 1992 to 2003, followed by joint rights with Sky Sports until 2015. BT Sport took over UEFA rights from the 2015/16 season and had previously streamed European finals for free on YouTube.
TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport, has now made the finals available for a fee or through a subscription to its sister service, discovery+. Arsenal is gearing up to challenge Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, aiming for their first-ever title victory, following Tottenham’s Europa League win last year.
Aston Villa secured victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final, while Crystal Palace is set to face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final. A TNT Sports spokesperson highlighted the pride in supporting English football as three Premier League clubs reach the finals. They also emphasized the affordability of watching the UEFA finals at just £4.99 with a month-long HBO Max subscription.