Starmer Presses TNT Sports to Waive Paywall for Champions League Final
Broadcaster maintains £4.99 HBO Max fee, while government considers legislative options after previous rejection of 'crown jewels' status.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an open letter to broadcaster TNT Sports, urging the company to make the upcoming UEFA Champions League final available free-to-air in the United Kingdom. The match, featuring Arsenal against Paris St-Germain, will be behind a paywall for the first time in the competition's history in the UK, prompting Starmer to intervene on the grounds of public access.
Starmer, who has identified himself as an Arsenal supporter, argued that the government’s role is to ensure that hard-working people do not need to pay a subscription to watch a match of such magnitude. In his correspondence, the Prime Minister emphasised that the event represents a moment for supporters of all teams to gather in living rooms and pubs across the country, rather than a service reserved for subscribers.
TNT Sports, which rebranded from BT Sport following its acquisition by Warner Bros Discovery, has not agreed to the request. A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated that a one-month subscription to HBO Max costs £4.99, a fee that grants access to the Champions League final as well as the Europa League and Conference League finals. The company described this pricing structure as representing "exceptional value" for viewers.
The Prime Minister clarified that he is not currently seeking to add the final to the statutory "listed events" list, often referred to as the "crown jewels," which would mandate free-to-air coverage. However, Starmer indicated that if TNT Sports does not reconsider its stance, he may attempt to resurrect the proposal to add the final to this list, a measure the UK government previously rejected six years ago.
This intervention follows Starmer’s broader approach to fan accessibility, including his previous encouragement of FIFA to make tickets more affordable for the upcoming World Cup later this year. Arsenal is set to play in the final for the first time in 20 years, a milestone that has intensified calls for the match to be accessible to the general public without financial barriers.
