UEFA Champions League final may be played outside Europe

Forum 7 years ago

UEFA Champions League final may be played outside Europe

New president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, has admitted that the Champions League final may be played outside Europe in the future.

UEFA has until now, been awarding the honour of staging its showpiece finals without any tendering process.

But it appears the rights will be up for grabs.


“It might be an idea, but we have to speak about it,” Ceferin told Associated Press.

“To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan for example is almost the same or the same as if you go to New York.

“It’s a European competition so let’s think about it.”

Ceferin also insisted that the usual 19.45 BST kick-off times will not be changed, even if it benefits large markets such as China.


“From a financial point of view it’s not ideal,” he added.

“We should think also about other markets, but how to do it exactly I’m not sure yet.

“China is financially interesting and the US is not just financially interesting, but football is growing there.

“China is not asleep [during the Champions League final] because it’s Saturday and they can watch. But there are many problems concerning that with the calendar of the leagues.

“National leagues are too important. You have the Premier League which is very strong.

“The bidding process should be very clear because if you get the Champions League finals or Europa league finals as a political favour then it’s not okay.”