Concacaf has confirmed that the Champions Cup final between Toluca and Tigres UANL will kick off at 5:00 PM local time on May 30. This aligns with a growing trend among confederations to schedule major finals earlier in the day rather than the traditional 8 PM evening slots.
The earlier kickoff time offers several advantages: It makes post-match travel safer and more convenient for fans, encourages earlier stadium arrivals, increases time and spending inside the stadium precinct, and benefits the host city economically as fans later head to bars and restaurants for the evening. The 5 PM start also places the match in prime-time viewing hours across North America.
Toluca FC will host the one-legged final at Estadio Nemesio Díez, having earned the right through their higher Concacaf club ranking, which is calculated based on performances in the Champions Cup this season. Toluca leads the rankings with 12 points and a +11 goal difference, while Tigres also has 12 points but a +3 goal difference.
The winner will secure one of Concacaf’s four qualification slots for the 2029 Club World Cup, as well as a place in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The 2025 Champions Cup winner, Cruz Azul, has already qualified for the 2029 Club World Cup.
Toluca booked their spot in the final with a commanding 4-0 victory over LAFC last night, overturning a first-leg deficit. Tigres advanced with a more measured 1-0 home win against Nashville, sealing a 2-0 aggregate semi-final victory.
Broadcast partners for the final include FOX Sports (USA – English), TelevisaUnivision (USA – Spanish), FOX Mexico (Mexico), OneSoccer (Canada), ESPN | Disney+ (Central America, Caribbean, and South America), and Concacaf’s official platforms for other territories (subject to restrictions).
