The UEFA Champions League final, recognized as the most significant trophy in club soccer, is fast approaching and will be decided before the end of the current month. With the semifinals now concluded this week, only two teams remain from the 81 that began the journey in the qualifying rounds back in July. The debut of the 36-team league phase injected unprecedented drama into the competition, culminating in the final showdown between the last two standing contenders. Here is everything essential to know about this highly anticipated match:
Which teams are playing in the Champions League final?
The final match will feature a contest between Italian club Inter Milan and French side Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain secured their spot after comfortably overcoming Arsenal in the semifinal.
Inter Milan has won this prestigious competition three times in its history and reached the final as recently as three seasons ago, where they were defeated 1-0 by a strong Manchester City side. Paris Saint-Germain, conversely, is still searching for its first ever Champions League title. They aspire to become only the second French team to lift the trophy, following Marseille`s achievement. PSG`s sole previous appearance in the final was in 2020, ending in a loss to Bayern Munich during the period affected by COVID-19.
Neither of these teams was widely considered the primary favorite to win the tournament this season. The Champions League trophy has predominantly been claimed by clubs from Spain, England, and Germany in recent years. No team outside these three countries has won the competition since Inter Milan`s victory in 2010, and France`s only triumph was back in 1993.
Despite experiencing player turnover over the years, Inter Milan has maintained a competitive edge, successfully eliminating formidable opponents like Bayern Munich and Barcelona on their path to the final. While some observers might have viewed Inter as a potential dark horse, recognizing their team chemistry and consistent improvement, most pre-tournament predictions favored powerhouses such as Manchester City, Barcelona, or Real Madrid to go all the way this season.
Paris Saint-Germain has often been identified as a potential contender in recent seasons, boasting star players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. Interestingly, they reached the final this season after Mbappe`s move to Real Madrid, and surprisingly, they are now considered the early favorites.
When and where is the Champions League final being held?
The 2025 Champions League final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 31. The designated venue for the match is the Allianz Arena, located in Munich, Germany. While typical Champions League fixtures occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with this season also featuring a Thursday matchday, the final is traditionally played on a Saturday.
What is the kick-off time for the final?
The match is set to kick off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Saturday, May 31.
How can I watch the game?
In the United States, the game will be broadcast live on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+, which serves as the primary platform for Champions League coverage.
