Context:

The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is set to take place on May 31, 2025, following an exciting season that introduced a new Swiss format, expanding the competition to 36 teams. This season has been filled with thrilling matches, notably the semifinal between Inter Milan and Barcelona, which ended in a dramatic 4-3 victory for Inter after extra time. Inter Milan secured their place in the final, overcoming Barcelona in a classic encounter, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal to reach the final for only the second time in their history. The final will be held in Germany, the first time since Barcelona's victory over Juventus a decade ago. Kickoff is expected at 9 p.m. CEST, with an opening ceremony preceding the match, continuing a tradition of recent years.

Dive Deeper:

• The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is scheduled for May 31, 2025, with the match expected to kick off at 9 p.m. CEST, corresponding to 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT.

• This season introduced a Swiss model format, expanding the competition from 32 to 36 teams, replacing the traditional group stage with a 'league phase'.

• Inter Milan reached the final after a dramatic two-legged semifinal against Barcelona, culminating in a 4-3 victory in extra time at the San Siro.

• Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the final by defeating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, marking their second-ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League final.

• The final will be held in Germany, marking the first time the country has hosted the event since Barcelona's 3-1 win over Juventus in Turin ten years ago.

• The UEFA Champions League has become known for its grand pre-game opening ceremonies, which are expected to continue with the 2025 final.

• Joe Wright, a Senior Editor at Sporting News, has extensive experience covering major football events, including UEFA Champions League finals and World Cups.

• The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is now approaching its conclusion after a gripping few months across Europe.

• This season's change to a so-called Swiss model, with the traditional group stage replaced by a "league phase" and the field expanded to 36 teams from the usual 32, was met with some skepticism. However, fans have been treated to some brilliant matches in every round, culminating in that extraordinary semifinal tie between Inter Milan and Barcelona.

• The semis conclude on Wednesday with Arsenal attempting to overturn a one-goal deficit to Paris Saint-Germain and reach the final for just the second time. That title match will be staged in Germany in 2025, marking the first time the country has hosted the final since Barcelona overcame Juventus 3-1 in Turin a decade ago.

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• When is the 2025 UEFA Champions League final?

  The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

• The game is expected to follow recent tradition and kick off at 9 p.m. CEST, which is 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT. The pre-game opening ceremony, which has become a fixture of the final in recent years, will likely start an hour earlier.

• The precise timings will be determined one the finalists are known, but here is how that projected kickoff time translates to some of the major territories:

• 	Date	Kickoff time
  USA/Canada	Sat, May 31	3:00 p.m. ET
  USA/Canada	Sat, May 31	12:00 p.m. PT
  UK	Sat, May 31	8:00 p.m. BST
  Australia	Sun, June 1	5:00 a.m. AEST
  India	Sun, June 1	12:30 a.m. IST

  MORE: UCL final venues for 2025 and coming seasons

• Who is in the 2025 Champions League final?

  Inter Milan were the first team to reach the 2025 Champions League final after overcoming Barcelona in an all-time classic semifinal.

• After the first leg finished in a thrilling 3-3 scoreline, in the return at San Siro, Barca led 3-2 from 2-0 down before veteran centre-back Francesco Acerbi forced extra time. During the first half of the additional period, substitute Davide Frattesi secured a 4-3 win and booked a return to the showpiece for Inter, who lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2023 final.

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• A day later, Paris Saint-Germain overcame a battling Arsenal performance to win 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph. The Parisians are into the final for just the second time in their history, within touching distance of an as-yet elusive European title.