Arsenal are due to face PSG in the Champions League final with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sending a request to TNT Sports
Sir Keir Starmer has written to TNT Sports calling on the Champions League broadcaster to make the final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain free-to-air.
It was confirmed earlier this month that a paid subscription would be necessary to view the final for the first time in 34 years. The UK Prime Minister, himself a dedicated Arsenal supporter, has now penned an open letter to TNT Sports requesting that fans be permitted to watch at no cost.
He wrote in an open letter: “The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football.
“I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
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“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.
“This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
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“We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer’s World Cup.
“That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country.”
It isn’t solely Arsenal supporters who will be required to pay a minimum of £4.99 to watch, with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace also featuring in the two remaining European finals.
The former have already claimed the Europa League title by defeating Freiburg, while Palace face Rayo Vallecano next week in the Conference League final.
TNT Sports encountered substantial criticism for their decision, though their justification centres on the operational requirements of the Warner Bros. Discovery business, which employs 4,000 staff across the UK.
From 2027, they will additionally relinquish broadcasting rights to all three UEFA club competitions, with Paramount and Sky assuming control.
A TNT Sports spokesperson said: “It has been a privilege to bring UEFA club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season. Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English Football and something that we are proud to continue to support.
“We have made all three UEFA finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions.”
