You’ve already cleared your schedule and then you settle down in front of the TV, either at home or in your local sports bar, ready for the big games of the UEFA Champions League. If you like your soccer, this is the elite competition. But, what’s this? The stadium is not full. The teams are not out. The anthem is not being sang. Ahhh, then you remember.
That’s right. American fans watching the Champions League this week will find the games are starting an hour later than usual in the United States.
The reason has nothing to do with UEFA scheduling. It simply comes down to the timing of daylight saving changes on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
Daylight saving in the United States vs Europe
The U.S. moved its clocks forward for daylight saving time on Sunday, March 8. When that happened, the time difference between the U.S. and Europe temporarily changed.
Most of Europe does not switch to daylight saving time until March 29. Until then, the usual time gap between the regions is one hour smaller.
For viewers in the eastern United States, Champions League games typically kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET during most of the season. But during this three-week window in March, the same games start at 4:00 p.m. ET instead. (There’s also the early game at 1:30 p.m.)
That is because European kickoff times remain the same locally, usually 9:00 p.m. Central European Time.
How long does this change last?
Once Europe moves its clocks forward later in March, the normal time difference returns. At that point, Champions League games will go back to their familiar kickoff slot for American viewers.
Until then, fans in the U.S. will need to remember that midweek Champions League games are beginning one hour later than usual. Time for an extra refreshment.
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