The Champions League will have a new feel to it this season with the traditional 7.45pm kick-off time a thing of the past.
Instead, UEFA will this week begin a three-season trial of having two separate kick-off times for each matchday, as in the Europa League.
Two games will kick off at the new, earlier time of 5.55pm, while the other six matches will kick off at the slightly later time of 8pm.
Tottenham fans will be the first to experience this as they make a mad dash to the pub for Tuesday's early kick-off against Inter Milan.
And if that irks Spurs fans, then they won't be happy to hear that they are the only English club to have two early kick-offs in the group stage.
Spurs' trip to PSV Eindhoven next month is another to have been allocated to the new 5.55pm slot.
Manchester United fans who would struggle to get away from work early will be pleased to know that all six of their group stage matches kick off at 8pm, while Liverpool and Manchester City have just one early kick-off each.
City's trip to Hoffenheim on October 2 will be shown at 5.55pm, as will Liverpool's away fixture at Red Star Belgrade on November 6.
Officially the reason given for the change in kick-off times is to allow fans to 'watch more games than ever before', though this of course will increase revenue streams.
The early kick-off time also makes it easier for fans in Asia and Australia to watch the Champions League, with staying up until 3am slightly more appealing than 5am.
Whether that will soften the blow for fans in Europe who could potentially miss the early game remains to be seen.
On the final matchdays on December 11 and 12, matches in the same group will kick off simultaneously, with Group D and Group G assigned the 5.55pm slots. Neither group contains a Premier League team.
The games in the knockout stages will all kick off at 8pm.
paocdlmryz
3
Iso much love this change.
Vardhman
0
for Asians this is a good thing as otherwise they have to stay later in night to watch matches but now we can easily what matches at a comfortable time! This is good!!!!
vinbcdest
4
it's good for us fans not living in Europe at least now we don't have to stay up late to watch a match
12UnitedGuy
0
can't wait to get started
[image]
me too
emondorock
1
They dont give a fuck about the fans that supported them for years only tv rights and sponsors. One day they will switch off and watch for free over the net and stay at home tben the fuckers will have something to moan about then.
bluespidey1067
5
can't wait to get started
weepring
1
So the people on the other side of the world can watch it earlier before they go to bed.
MONO555
1
all about money, who cares about the supporters
ponderous
0
Meaning a lot more people will miss it because they're still at work... sad.
osoniouk
0
all about money
halamardi
0
Who would want to rush home to watch Yawnited play? I'd rather do a couple of hours extra collar than watch their rubbish.
civilization
0
Dann you people on benefits lucky you!!
foreverfor
0
Money money money, milking this cash cow for all its worth!
Jeff19960
0
The broadcast channels don't care about fans early kickoff late kickoff its a joke
Masonbill
0
In Australia I prefer later games and get up early instead. 3am sucks, 5am is ok with an early start (plus the kids get up then angway)
abbaasmusse364
0
We have to rush my work
moore8
1
it’s better that way,they have been limiting us with the games that watch but now we shall have a variety to choose from and enjoy the tournament