UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is open to the idea of holding the Champions League final, as well as other matches from the world’s most popular club tournament, in the United States.
“It is possible,” Ceferin told Roger Bennett on the “Men in Blazers” podcast, according to ESPN.
“We started to discuss about that, but then one year it is World Cup, 2024 is Euro, this year (the Champions League final) is Istanbul, ’24 in London, ’25 in Munich. And after that, let’s see.”
The topic of playing Champions League games outside of Europe and in the U.S. was reportedly discussed at UEFA Executive Committee meetings in Croatia last fall. But Ceferin later denied that such talks took place.
However, the 55-year-old acknowledged he was intrigued after highlighting the potential financial benefits of playing in a “promising market” like the U.S.
“Football is extremely popular in United States these days,” he added. “Americans are willing to pay this amount (gestures high with hand) for best and nothing for the less. So they will follow European football as basketball lovers in Europe follow NBA.
“It’s a very important, promising market for the future. The thing is that we are selling rights very well. Sponsorship is so-so for now from the U.S., but here (in the U.S.), commercialization is completely different than in Europe. They (Americans) are much more talented for that than us (Europeans).”
There were reports last September over a potential four-team super cup being played in the U.S. to open the season in 2024. It would feature the three winners from UEFA’s cup competitions and the Major League Soccer champion.
Ceferin was re-elected UEFA president for a third term after going unopposed during the 2023 election.
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