How to Watch the PSG vs Arsenal Champions League Final

The Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary [1]. While the match is typically available via paid subscription services, viewers in several regions have access to free broadcast or streaming options [2].

Key takeaways

• The match kicks off at 5 p.m. UK time, or 12 p.m. ET [1, 3].
• Virgin Media customers in the UK can watch the game for free on a dedicated pop-up channel, 526 [1].
• Free streaming is available in various countries, including Ireland via RTÉ2, Australia via 9Now, and Belgium via RTL Club [2, 3].
• In the United States, the match will air on CBS and stream on Paramount Plus [2].
• PSG enters the match as the defending champions, having defeated Inter Milan in last year’s final [2].

Viewing options and regional access

In the United Kingdom, the broadcast rights have sparked significant debate, as the final is no longer available on free-to-air television or free streaming platforms like Discovery+ [1]. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer publicly urged TNT Sports to make the match free for all viewers, arguing that the event should be accessible to everyone regardless of subscription status [1]. Despite this, TNT Sports maintained that the match is available through their subscription services, noting that the final is accessible via the £6-per-month tier on HBO Max [1, 2]. Virgin Media has stepped in to provide its TV customers with access to the match at no additional cost via a dedicated HD pop-up channel, 526 [1].

For international viewers, the match is available for free in several specific regions. In Ireland, the game can be streamed on RTÉ2 or the RTÉ Player [2, 3]. Australian viewers can access the match for free via 9Now, while those in Belgium and Luxembourg can use RTL Club and RTL2, respectively [2]. Italian viewers have access through TV8 [2]. Some viewers utilize virtual private networks (VPNs) to access these region-locked services from abroad, though the use of such tools may conflict with the terms of service for certain platforms [2, 3].

Context of the final

The match at the Puskás Aréna marks the first time the venue has hosted a Champions League final [2]. PSG arrives at the fixture as the reigning titleholders, having secured their spot by defeating Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in the semifinals [2]. Arsenal reached the final after a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atlético Madrid [2]. According to DraftKings, PSG enters the match as the favorite with +140 odds, while Arsenal is considered the underdog at +210 [2]. The two clubs last met in the 2025 semifinals, where PSG won 3-1 on aggregate [2].

Why it matters

The accessibility of the Champions League final has become a point of contention, highlighting a shift away from the traditional free-to-air model that previously defined the tournament in the UK [1]. As broadcasters transition toward subscription-based streaming models, the debate over whether major sporting events should remain free-to-air continues to influence public discourse and political advocacy [1]. For fans, the match represents the culmination of the season, with PSG aiming to defend their title against an Arsenal side looking to claim the trophy [2, 3].