UEFA Announces Referees for All Four 2026 European Finals
German referee Daniel Siebert has been handed the most prestigious assignment of his professional career. UEFA announced that the 42-year-old will officiate the 2026 Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at Budapest's Puskás Aréna on May 30, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET (18:00 CEST).
This marks Siebert's debut as referee for a UEFA club competition final. An international official since 2015, he enters this assignment with solid credentials — managing nine Champions League fixtures this season, including Arsenal's quarter-final opening leg versus Sporting and their semi-final return match against Atlético Madrid. Few referees across Europe are as familiar with Arsenal's high-pressure mentality as Siebert. How PSG's attacking threats challenge his disciplinary approach remains to be seen as match day approaches.
Breaking Down the Other Three Finals
The Europa League final on May 20 might be the most intriguing supporting fixture. Freiburg meets Aston Villa in Istanbul — a compelling matchup between a German overachiever and an English side still establishing their European identity. François Letexier will handle officiating duties, bringing impressive experience: he refereed the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England and served as fourth official at the 2024 Champions League final. UEFA clearly trusts his judgment in crucial moments. Villa's chances may depend on their ability to counter Freiburg's high-pressing tactics in this winner-takes-all encounter on neutral turf.
The Women's Champions League final features Barcelona taking on Lyon at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion on May 23, with Sweden's Tess Olofsson serving as referee. These two powerhouses have shaped women's football for years. A final between them feels almost inevitable — the logical endpoint of a competition they've controlled.
The Conference League final arrives May 27 in Leipzig, where Rayo Vallecano and Crystal Palace will each contest their first-ever UEFA final. Italian official Maurizio Mariani gets the assignment. For Palace, who spent decades oscillating between Championship relegation battles and Premier League mediocrity, this European final represents truly unprecedented achievement. Rayo's progression from Madrid's third-choice club to European finalists is equally remarkable.
- Champions League Final: PSG vs Arsenal — Puskás Aréna, Budapest — May 30, 12:00 p.m. ET — Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
- Europa League Final: Freiburg vs Aston Villa — Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul — May 20 — Referee: François Letexier (France)
- Women's Champions League Final: Barcelona vs Lyon — Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo — May 23 — Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
- Conference League Final: Rayo Vallecano vs Crystal Palace — Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig — May 27 — Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Four finals compressed into nine days. European football's season concludes in dramatic fashion, and the officiating appointments demonstrate UEFA's commitment to match quality — particularly with Letexier and Siebert, both ranking among the competition's most seasoned referees.