UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has written to TNT Sports urging the broadcaster to reverse its decision to place the Champions League final behind a paywall, breaking a 34-year tradition of free-to-air access in the United Kingdom.

The final, scheduled for next Saturday, will see Arsenal face Paris St-Germain in what would be the Gunners' first-ever Champions League final appearance. In his letter to TNT executives, Starmer argued that supporters of all clubs — not just Arsenal fans — deserve to watch the match without paying for a subscription.

"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," Starmer wrote.

Every Champions League final since the competition adopted its current format in 1992 had previously been available free of charge to UK viewers. Starmer — who is himself an Arsenal fan — acknowledged the historic occasion for his club but insisted the principle extended far beyond club allegiance.

"Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude," he said.

Three European finals behind the paywall

The Champions League decider is not the only European final affected. Fans required a TNT Sports subscription to watch Aston Villa claim the Europa League title last week, and Wednesday's Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano falls under the same arrangement.

In response, TNT Sports defended its position, pointing to the availability of all three UEFA finals through a one-month HBO Max subscription priced at £4.99.

"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," the broadcaster said in a statement.

TNT Sports noted that most Sky customers already receive HBO Max at no additional cost, meaning a significant portion of the audience can access the final without any extra charge.

A long road from free to subscription

The Champions League final was broadcast free on ITV every year from 1993 — with the exception of 1994, when the BBC held the rights — until BT Sport acquired the broadcast deal beginning with the 2015-16 season. BT Sport continued to simulcast the final on its YouTube channel at no charge until it was acquired by Warner Bros Discovery and rebranded as TNT Sports.

The shift to HBO Max, which carries no free tier, ended that arrangement. Arsenal's confirmed Premier League title — their first since 2004 — adds further weight to the occasion, with the club also chasing a debut Champions League crown.

Six years ago, the previous UK government rejected a House of Lords proposal to include the Champions League final on the list of protected "crown jewels" sporting events, which would have guaranteed free-to-air coverage. That decision now looms large as the debate resurfaces.

From the 2027-28 season, TNT Sports will lose its European competition rights entirely. Paramount+ will pick up the Champions League, while the Europa League and Conference League move to Sky Sports.

In the meantime, highlights of the Champions League final will be available on the BBC Sport website and social media channels 15 minutes after the trophy presentation, with further coverage on BBC iPlayer and television later that evening. Live radio commentary on all three finals will be carried by BBC Radio 5 Live.