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PM Urges Free Champions League Final
24 May
Summary
- Prime Minister urges broadcaster to offer free viewing of Arsenal's final.
- This is the first time in 34 years the final won't be free in the UK.
- Broadcaster offers subscriptions starting at £4.99 for the game.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is urging TNT Sports to provide free access to the Champions League final, which features Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain. This decision marks a significant shift, as it is the first time in the competition's 34-year history that the final will not be available for free in the UK. Starmer, a self-proclaimed Arsenal fan, expressed his disappointment, stating that "hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude."
He emphasized that the Champions League final is the world's premier club football competition and holds great importance for fans in the UK, considered the "home of football." Starmer firmly believes the final should remain accessible to all, regardless of whether Arsenal qualifies. He is calling for TNT Sports to "reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country."
TNT Sports, which holds broadcasting rights for three European club finals this year involving English teams, is offering month-long subscriptions to HBO Max, including the finals, starting at £4.99. This price point is described by the broadcaster as "exceptional value." However, the decision to place the flagship Champions League final behind a paywall has drawn considerable criticism, as previous finals have been free to air or stream.
