UK Prime Minister Pushes to Make Arsenal Final Free to Watch

For the first time in 34 years, British football fans might have to pay to watch the Champions League final, and the country's prime minister isn't happy about it.

Sir Keir Starmer wrote to TNT Sports this week urging them to reconsider their decision to restrict next Saturday's match between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain to subscribers only. Every single Champions League final since 1992 has been free to watch in the UK.

"Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude," Starmer wrote in his letter to TNT executives. The prime minister, who happens to be an Arsenal fan himself, emphasized this issue goes beyond his team making the final for the first time in 20 years.

The change follows TNT's ownership shift after BT Sport was bought by Warner Bros Discovery and rebranded. While BT Sport continued the tradition of making finals free, TNT now requires fans to sign up for HBO Max, with subscriptions starting at £4.99 per month.

TNT defended their decision, calling it "exceptional value" that includes entertainment content alongside the match. They noted that most Sky customers already get HBO Max at no extra cost.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one game. Three Premier League clubs reached European finals this year, and all three require subscriptions to watch.

Aston Villa fans needed to pay for last week's Europa League final, and Crystal Palace supporters will need access for Wednesday's Conference League final. The shift represents a broader change in how major sporting events reach viewers.

Starmer's public stance reflects growing concerns about accessibility in sports broadcasting. Six years ago, the government rejected proposals to add the Champions League final to protected "crown jewels" events that must be free to air.

Starting in 2027, the landscape will shift again. Paramount+ will take over Champions League rights, while Sky Sports picks up the Europa and Conference League competitions.

For now, fans without subscriptions still have options. BBC will carry highlights 15 minutes after the trophy presentation and provide live radio commentary across all three finals.

Arsenal's journey to this moment makes it especially meaningful after winning their first Premier League title since 2004 earlier this week and reaching their first Champions League final since 2006. Whether the match will be freely accessible for everyone to share in that historic moment remains to be seen.