The eyes of the soccer world turned to the Puskás Aréna in Budapest for the 2026 UEFA Champions League final.
Days before the world turns to the World Cup, new Premier League champions Arsenal aim to finally win the competition and prevent PSG from retaining the trophy.
The Gunners chased away the ghosts of back-to-back runners-up to secure their first Premier League title in 22 years last weekend and now aim to go further than they did 20 years ago when they were beaten by Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain have ruled Ligue 1 as their playing field, retaining 12 of their 14 domestic league titles, but their relationship with Europe has become defined by heartbreak.
That all changed last year when they finally conquered the continent. Tonight, Luis Enrique’s team stands on the podium of football immortality, looking to become only the third team – after Real Madrid and AC Milan – to successfully defend their title.
Surprisingly, it will be the first major European final between French and English clubs. Here’s how they go:
PSG team news
Right-back Achraf Hakimi and left-back Nuno Mendes were injury doubts but both started for PSG.
Striker Ousmane Dembele said he is fully fit, having been substituted in the first half of the 2-1 defeat at Paris FC on May 17.
It’s a formidable looking side!
PSG XI: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joâo Neves, Fabian Ruiz, Doué, Dembelé, Kvaratskhelia.
Arsenal team news
Kai Havertz starts up front with only Viktor Gyokeres on the bench, as does Eberechi Eze.
Myles Lewis-Skelly starts in midfield after struggling in both legs of the semi final.
Striker Noni Madueke suffered a hamstring problem during Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday but is on the bench, as is right-back Jurrien Timber, who has been out since March with a groin problem.
Defender Ben White is out with a long-term knee injury.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Odegaard, Trossard, Havertz
Where to watch PSG vs Arsenal: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off is on Saturday at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
Live streaming on the HBO Max app. TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month and is available on a wide range of devices including smart TVs and games consoles.
PSG v Arsenal: Final Champions League 2025/26 stats
- PSG are the first French club to reach three finals in the competition and the first to appear in back-to-back finals. Last season they became the second French team to win the competition, following Marseille’s victory in 1992/93.
- They are the first defending champions since Real Madrid did so in 2016/17 and 2017/18 – both seasons they won the title.
- Last season it eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, and this season it defeated Chelsea and Liverpool in the round of 16 and in the quarter-finals.
- The French champions have lost their last 12 European games against an English side (W9 D2) and two of their last 17 knockout stage games (W13 D2).
- Another goal would allow Paris to match the campaign record from the group stage or league stage to the final, set by Barcelona with 45 in 1999/00.
- The club from the French capital have never held a 0-0 draw in the knockout stages – a run of 64 games
- Luis Enrique could become the fifth coach to win the title more than twice. Carlo Ancelotti has five and Bob Paisley, Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola have three.
