Liverpool have reached three of the last five Champions League finals and could be directly affected if UEFA decides to hold the matches or even the final outside of Europe.
The UEFA president has given his strongest indication yet that Champions League matches could take place outside of Europe for the first time, with the United States as a possible destination.
Debate over whether matches in the continent's premier league should be played elsewhere has raged for years, however, all matches so far - including the final - take place at locations in Europe. However, for now it seems that conversations have taken place about the possibility of matches being held on separate continents in the coming years.
Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, UEFA President Aleksander ?eferin addressed the debate over whether Champions League matches should be played outside of Europe, saying he absolutely "could be." " for future matches in the United States. With the World Cup set to be held in the country in 2026, followed by the Copa America a year later, it could be hinted that interest in the game will only grow.
Of course, any final decision about holding a final outside of Europe could have direct implications for Liverpool and their supporters, with the Red Devils having reached three of the five. the last Champions League final. Fans in Europe will likely have mixed reactions to this possibility, given the cost of attending a match in another continent.
Addressing the possibility of games taking place outside of Europe, ?eferin said:
"Maybe [Champions League could be held in the USA]. We started discussing it, but one year it's World Cup, 2024 is Euro, this year is Istanbul, '24 in London, '25 in Munich. And then we will see. Can can."
He added:
"Football is extremely popular in the United States these days. Americans are willing to pay that amount (high hand gesture) for the best and nothing for the lowest. So they'll be watching football. Europe is like basketball fans in Europe follow the NBA.
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“It is a very important and promising market for the future. The fact is that we sell the copyright very well. Americans] are much better than us [Europeans]."
The UEFA chief also outlined the potential economic benefits of tapping the US market in this way, saying:
“The fans will still think in a certain way [...] it's all about the money, and I'll say a thousand times, we'll give back 97% of the money. Of course, our turnover is huge. I wish they were much, much bigger now.
"What really shocked me was that our Euro (2020) final, the final of the European national team, was watched by more people in the United States than the NBA final." Low viewership. So I think we're doing well."
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