TNT Sports ends free YouTube tradition for Conference League final in Leipzig

Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday, May 27, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.

The decision has proved controversial among supporters. Previous Conference League, Europa League, and Champions League finals had been made available on YouTube at no cost, but TNT Sports has now integrated its content into the HBO Max platform, meaning a paid subscription — starting from £4.99 per month — is required to watch online or via smart devices.

Those with a Virgin Media subscription can still watch at no extra cost via channel 526, covering TiVo, V6, Virgin TV 360, and Stream packages, though the Virgin TV Go app is excluded. UK radio coverage remains free, with BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT both beginning their build-up at 7pm.

The YouTube blackout was also a factor for the Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg the previous weekend, and applies equally to the Champions League final on Saturday. Despite the loss of free streaming, UEFA has said it anticipates online viewing figures for the Champions League final to exceed those of the 2025 edition.

On the pitch, Palace head into the final with injury concerns. Midfielder Adam Wharton is being closely monitored after limping off against Arsenal, while Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure are ruled out. Centre-back Chris Richards is rated 50/50 after an ankle ligament problem.

The final will be the last game Palace play under departing manager Oliver Glasner, who guided the club past Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals. Neither Palace nor Rayo Vallecano have ever won a European trophy, and the two clubs have never previously met in a competitive UEFA fixture, making this a historic occasion for both.