Join us for the Champions League final
Crisp pint in hand, the perfect spot in front of the big screen and all your favourite people watching and waiting. We're getting ready for the UEFA Champions League final to kick off on 30th May 2026, so take a seat and join us for one of the year's most unmissable events.
Nothing beats the feeling of watching live football with all your mates. Here at Greene King, we know just how to make it the best it can be. With taps of fresh beer, ready to be pulled into a crisp pint, to half-time snacks and a menu full of delicious dishes that'll fuel a day of unbeatable action.
Call up your friends, get your football shirts ready and don't worry about searching for pubs showing football – here at Greene King, we've got you covered.
The celebrated UEFA Champions League Final
It's what we've all been waiting for. The most anticipated event of the European Football Association's calendar, the UEFA Champions League final, is almost here. Established in 1955, the annual live football competition is one of the most prestigious, and has football fans coming together around the world to watch and wait for its tense games, painful knockouts and exhilarating results. What's to come? Who knows. Will we witness a moment like Messi's solo goal or Cristiano Ronaldo's overhead kick? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – you definitely won't want to miss it.
Just because you can't be in Budapest on 30th May, doesn't mean you can't experience the final to its fullest. Here at Greene King, we know live sports. We know the long wait, the tense, excited atmosphere before kick-off, and the rush of relief when the ball hits the net. And you should get to experience the European cup in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, full of people who care just as much as you do.
Whether you've been planning this day for months or looking for the best place to tune in, turn up on the day, or secure a spot with your friends by booking your table ahead.
And if you're new to sports and fancy popping in to see what all the fuss is about, then grab a seat and join in on what's sure to be a memorable match day and final.
The UEFA Champions League: Everything you need to know
How do teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League?
Only the best of the best football teams can qualify for the UEFA Champions League. In England, the four teams at the top of the Premier League at the end of a season get the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League, with the fifth-highest scoring team going into the UEFA Europa League instead. If a team wins the Europa League, they automatically qualify for the next UEFA Champions League tournament.
Due to changes in the UEFA Champion's League format in 2024, extra qualifying places are now awarded to leagues with the best performing clubs (officially called the 'Association Club Coefficient Ranking'), which means in the 2026/27 season, the five top teams from the Premier League will qualify for the UEFA Champion's League, with the sixth qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.
Which European teams can qualify for the UEFA Champions League?
The UEFA Champions League is made up of qualifying teams from the following European leagues:
- England: Premier League
- Germany: Bundesliga
- Spain: La Liga
- Italy: Serie A
- France: Ligue 1
- Portugal: Primeria Liga
- The Netherlands: Eredivisie
- Belgium: Pro League
- Czechia: Czech Liga
- Turkey: Süper Lig
Take a look at the table, and you'll see a lot of European champion clubs you recognise, including Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon, Sparta Prague, Club Brugge, Valencia, Arsenal, and Olympiacos.
How does the UEFA Champions League work?
Once the tournament starts, teams will play eight games against other qualifying teams, with their scores determining their ranking in the overall table. At the end of the first phase, the top third of teams will automatically qualify for the knockout phase, the middle third will enter play-offs to qualify for the knockout phase, and the bottom third will be eliminated.
Which teams have won the UEFA Champions League previously?
The tournament is packed with action, nail-biting penalties and shock losses from start to end, but here's a quick rundown of the teams that have raised the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy in previous years:
- 2024/25: Paris Saint-Germain
- 2023/24: Real Madrid
- 2022/23: Manchester City
- 2021/22: Real Madrid
- 2020/21: Chelsea
- 2019/20: Bayern Munich
Fun UEFA Champions League stats you may not know:
- Real Madrid have won the most UEFA Champions League titles, with 15 trophies in their cabinet, closely followed by Inter Milan with seven and Liverpool with six.
- Real Madrid also tops the list for most goals scored, with a huge 1134 goals, closely followed by Bayern Munich with 890 and Barcelona with 760.
- Juventus hold the record for the most red cards over the tournament's history, with 32 players sent off.
- Football's two most decorated players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, dominate the League's record for the highest goal-scorers, with Ronaldo's 141 and Messi's 129 still outpacing the competition, despite neither playing for European teams.
What's happening in the 2025/26 tournament?
April and May are when the tournament really starts to heat up, with the quarter finals running through to the end of April, and the semi finals starting on the 4th and 6th of May. Topping the table going into the knockout phase, Arsenal are the current favourites to win, but it won't be an easy ride, with Barcelona, PSG and Real Madrid also entering the final phases.
Get everyone together for the UEFA Champions League
From the picture-perfect quality of our big-screen TVs to the best of Sky Sports and TNT Sports, we know how to set up for all the biggest clashes, including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Whether you're texting the group chat to arrange plans for the big day or bringing the kids along to enjoy the great atmosphere, we've got a place for everyone. Whether you love Arsenal, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Benfica, Bayern Munich or Chelsea, we're here for all the fans, from the first to the final whistle.
What will you start with? An ice-cold pint of your favourite beer? Or one of our delicious ales? Find a prime spot for your whole group and enjoy that first sip before the game starts. Bringing the whole family? Don't worry. We know how important it is to find somewhere that suits you and your little ones. Our family friendly pubs have everything from tasty kids' menus to drinks the whole family will love.
Celebrate live football in the sun
Picture this – it's the day of the UEFA Champions League final. The May sun is shining, and you and your friends have the perfect spot in front of the big screen. The atmosphere is alive with anticipation and excitement. Before the game starts, why not catch some rays in our sunny beer garden and head back out to celebrate the success afterwards? And don't forget those all-important sunglasses!
Of course, you've got to fuel the table with some pub classics. Juicy burgers and succulent steaks, to a menu that's got something for every one of your mates. And what's better? Check out some of our food deals that are sure to make the whole group drool.
The next best thing after the stadium
Whilst you might not have a ticket for Hungary, Greene King is the next best thing for the UEFA Champions League final. Forget about the sofa at home, join us in celebrating some of sports' most important moments in a place buzzing with passion for the game. Watch live with beers you know and love, food you can't get enough of and a seat that isn't miles from the nearest bathroom!
Celebrate the highs and lows of this enormous game with all your mates or a crowd of newfound friends – everyone is welcome! Choose a soft seat, a stool at the bar or get to your feet and cheer on your team as loudly as you like.
Ready for kick off?
Look no further. With a comfortable seat, your favourite beers, and TV screens, you won't miss a moment of the action. With venues across the whole country, we're sure there's a place nearby with a seat waiting just for you. Search for pubs showing football near you and let Greene King set you up for a day of drinks, food and goals.