Major broadcasting change for Champions League final as new channel steps in at the last minute
FOOTBALL fans will be able to watch next month’s Champions League final in a brand new way.
A major broadcasting change has been announced ahead of the clash between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
The UK’s European football broadcaster TNT Sports will continue to show the match on June 1.
But they have today announced that non-subscribers will also be able to stream the action live on Discovery+.
The option will also be available for the Europa League final between Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta on May 22.
And the Europa Conference League final on May 29 between Olympiakos and Fiorentina will be shown on Discovery+ too.
It means fans will have several ways to watch the action for all three showpiece events.
The Conference final sees Fiorentina attempt to win a second continental trophy after losing last year’s game to West Ham, with Joe Cole and Don Hutchison in the TNT Sports studio.
But the Italians face a tough challenge in Greek gods Olympiakos, who demolished Aston Villa in the semis and will fancy their chances at the home of rivals AEK Athens.
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A week earlier, the Europa final between Leverkusen and Atalanta takes place and will be monitored by Cole, Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves.
All eyes will be on new German champs Bayer, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Champions League winners this century
There have been 10 different winners since 2000:
- 2023 – Man City
- 2022 – Real Madrid
- 2021 – Chelsea
- 2020 – Bayern Munich
- 2019 – Liverpool
- 2018 – Real Madrid
- 2017 – Real Madrid
- 2016 – Real Madrid
- 2015 – Barcelona
- 2014 – Real Madrid
- 2013 – Bayern Munich
- 2012 – Chelsea
- 2011 – Barcelona
- 2010 – Inter Milan
- 2009 – Barcelona
- 2008 – Man Utd
- 2007 – AC Milan
- 2006 – Barcelona
- 2005 – Barcelona
- 2004 – Liverpool
- 2003 – Porto
- 2002 – AC Milan
- 2001 – Real Madrid
- 2000 – Bayern Munich
But their Italian opponents will be a tough nut to crack, with Atalanta on a four-game winning run and hopeful of a Champions League finish in Serie A.
The last game will be the Champions League final, and has Hargreaves, Steve McManaman and Rio Ferdinand in tow.
Borussia Dortmund reached the Wembley final 11 years ago before losing to Bayern Munich.
They KO’d giants like Atletico Madrid and PSG on the way too, with stars including Man Utd loanee Jadon Sancho in top form.
But perennial Champions League giants Real Madrid are favourites after defeating Man City and Bayern.
The Spaniards have already won the competition a record 14 times, and Jude Bellingham will be hoping to make a huge impact ahead of England’s Euros challenge.
Ultimate sports presenters rich list
TV sports presenters make a mint.
The biggest and best are signed up on yearly deals with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky for your viewing pleasure.
Laura Woods is dominating the media landscape at the moment, leading TNT Sports’ coverage and ITV’s.
Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas are two of the fresher faces for the BBC’s sporting output.
Then, it’s the old guard of Gary Lineker and Mark Chapman who also command hefty fees for their Match of the Day programmes.
SunSport has taken a look at how those big names rank and compiled a list of the top 10 highest earning stars that grace our TV screens.
With number one worth a whopping £29.4million more than number 10!
Read the story and see the full list here.