Champions League Final 2023 Champions League Final
Saturday, Jun 10, 2023 22:00
Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
The UEFA Champions League final 2023 will be the final match of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, the 68th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 31st season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. It will be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 10 June 2023.
The final was originally scheduled to be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. However, due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the scheduled hosts for subsequent finals were shifted back a year, and the Allianz Arena in Munich was assigned the Champions League Final 2023. When the 2021 final, which had been scheduled to be played in Istanbul, also had to be relocated due to COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, Champions League Final 2023 was given to Istanbul instead. Munich will now host the 2025 final.Capacity: 74,753The Atatürk Olympic Stadium is a stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. Located in the western district of İkitelli, it is the largest-capacity stadium in the country. The stadium is named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. Its construction began in 1999 and was completed in 2002. It was originally built for Turkey's failed bid for the 2008 Olympic Games that were ultimately awarded to Beijing, China. It cost about US$140 million.
With its 74,753 capacity and Olympic size, it was granted the 5-star sports complex title by the UEFA in 2004, enabling it to host the finals of UEFA events. The 2005 UEFA Champions League Final between Milan and Liverpool was played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium on 25 May 2005. The stadium is also certified by the IAAF and IOC as a first-class venue for track and field, and has hosted several European athletic competitions. The stadium was originally scheduled to stage its second Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on 30 May 2020, but following the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe the match was postponed and later rescheduled to August at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal behind closed doors; the stadium was then set to hold the 2021 final between Manchester City and Chelsea instead, but the match was once again moved to Portugal, this time at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. The stadium is scheduled to host the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final.
Ataturk Olympic Stadium
Champions League Final
The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football, showcasing the best teams from across the continent. Over the past 20-30 years, the competition has produced unforgettable finals, cementing its place as the most prestigious club tournament in the world. Each year, the Champions League Final is the culmination of months of elite-level football, where two of the top clubs face off for the coveted trophy.
Recent Champions League finals have seen some of the most dramatic moments in football history. In 2023, Manchester City finally captured their first-ever Champions League title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Inter Milan. The year before, in 2022, Real Madrid continued their European dominance, winning their record 14th Champions League finals title by defeating Liverpool 1-0. Chelsea secured their second Champions League crown in 2021, overcoming Manchester City in another all-English final. Bayern Munich triumphed in 2020, lifting their sixth Champions League finals trophy after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in a final held under strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Looking further back, the 2019 Champions League finals saw Liverpool claim their sixth Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Real Madrid’s three-peat from 2016 to 2018 solidified their status as the tournament's most successful team, with key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos playing decisive roles. Barcelona enjoyed a period of dominance in the 2010s, winning titles in 2015, 2011, and 2009, under the leadership of Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola. Other memorable finals include Chelsea’s first-ever win in 2012, Bayern Munich’s victory over Borussia Dortmund in 2013, and Liverpool’s stunning comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 Miracle of Istanbul.
The Champions League has been dominated by a few elite clubs over the past three decades. Real Madrid stands far above the rest, with 14 Champions League finals titles, five of which came between 2014 and 2022. Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also enjoyed sustained success, with five and six titles respectively. Liverpool, with their six European crowns, and AC Milan, with seven, are other top contenders who have consistently reached the latter stages of the tournament.
Some of the best performances in Champions League history have become legendary. Real Madrid’s consistent dominance in recent years is unparalleled, particularly their three consecutive wins between 2016 and 2018. Liverpool’s incredible 3-3 comeback against AC Milan in 2005 remains one of the most iconic matches in football history, as they went on to win in a penalty shootout. Barcelona’s reign during the Messi-Guardiola era also stands out, as they mesmerized the football world with their tiki-taka style of play, particularly in the 2009 and 2011 finals. Bayern Munich’s 2020 treble-winning season, capped off with their Champions League triumph, highlighted their incredible consistency and quality.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Champions League Final, it will take place in June at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. This iconic venue, home to Bayern Munich, is renowned for its modern design and electrifying atmosphere. With a capacity of around 75,000, it will provide the perfect setting for another thrilling Champions League final. Munich, having hosted the Champions League finals last in 2012, will once again be the stage where Europe’s top clubs battle for the ultimate prize in club football.