Everything you need to know about the new Champions League kick-off times

The Champions League will evolve once again this season as Uefa introduce new kick-off times for the group stages.

Traditionally getting started at 7.45pm GMT/BST, the group stages will now have a three-season trial that will see the slightly later kick-off time of 8pm introduced, as well as a much earlier 5.55pm slot.

The final group matchdays, on December 11th and 12th, will see fixtures from the same groups kick off at the same time, with groups D and G being assigned the 5.55 pm slots – neither group contains a Premier League team. The competition has a sole kick-off time of 8pm for the knockout rounds.

The official reason provided by Uefa.com for this is to allow fans to “watch more games than ever before,” but football’s European governing body will be well aware that staggering kick-off times will, in turn, increase revenue with more games being accessible for TV broadcasting.

The early kick-off time also means that fans in Asia and Austrailia will only have to stay up until around 3 am to watch Champions League games, instead of the 5am slog they have previously endured.

In total, the change will affect four games involving Premier League clubs, with Tottenham’s away games at Inter Milan and PSV, on September 18th and October 24th respectively, both kicking off at 5.55 pm. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s away trip to Hoffenheim on October 2nd and Liverpool’s away clash with Red Star Belgrade, on November 6th, will also have the early slot.

Despite the obvious benefits for the global fan base of many Champions League clubs, a lot of fans closer to home have taken to Twitter to show their displeasure and confusion over the changes, with the early kick-off especially drawing some negative attention with fans worrying about whether they will be able to get back from work in time for the start of matches. Some supporters, however, are seeing the positives.

It's all money. I liked the 7.45 kick off time. It set the champions league aside from the Europa League. They have brought it in line, and maybe it's just me, but I feel that it cheapens it.

— William (@_william_b) September 17, 2018

I'm glad none of Liverpools Champions League group games at home have the early kick off time. What a pain in the arse that would be for most fans going to the game

— John Taylor (@knowyorrights) September 17, 2018

Hi @ChampionsLeague

The new early kick off time for games is really quite silly. I think you should stop that. It is not a good idea.

— unrulyupstart (@unrulyupstart) September 17, 2018

Where in the world is the early Champions League kickoff meant to be better for? It’s still too late at night in Asia, it’s still during work hours in America, and doesn’t help in Europe either.

— Adi (@2Adi2United) September 17, 2018

Damn I just realised that there will be an early kickoff game every match day, so that means now we'll essentially have back to back champions league games.
Sooo happiness is real confirmed?

— Pressan (@Pressan10) September 17, 2018