Photo: sport.ua
A senior CONMEBOL official recently said the South American body is considering staging the Copa Libertadores final outside the continent to boost revenues — with the U.S. and Gulf states seen as lucrative options.
UEFA is not under the same financial pressure, but a similar debate is emerging as the number of European cities capable of hosting a Champions League final continues to shrink.
Applications for future finals show a lack of competition: Munich was the only bidder for 2027/28, while London and Barcelona are the sole contenders for 2028/29. UEFA insiders say only four stadiums currently meet all requirements — Wembley, the Bernabéu, the Metropolitano and the soon-to-be-completed Camp Nou.
Recent withdrawals and failures have narrowed the field further. Milan was ruled out for 2027 due to uncertainty around the San Siro rebuild, while cities such as Paris, Rome, Vienna, Amsterdam and Glasgow either lack infrastructure or suitable capacity. Political and security issues have removed Moscow, St Petersburg and Kyiv from consideration.
Budapest will host the 2026 final, but UEFA analysts warn the city will be under heavy strain, with limited airport capacity, outdated transport and already-full hotels.
With European cities investing little in upgrading facilities, some experts believe UEFA may eventually have to look beyond the continent. The U.S. or a wealthy Asian state could offer modern infrastructure and commercial upside — though UEFA fears backlash from European supporters.
Observers say the success of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico may influence the decision. If the tournament generates strong interest, UEFA’s reluctance may fade, leaving few arguments against a future Champions League final in New York or Riyadh.
