Report: 2020 Champions League final to be moved from Istanbul

After the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the suspension of football competitions across Europe in March, multiple reports surfaced in April that UEFA hoped to hold the 2020 Champions League Final in late August.

It appears the biggest annual club match in world football will have a new date and new home this year.

On Friday, Miguel Delaney of The Independent reported that UEFA intends to complete all Champions League and Europa League fixtures in August leading up to those two Finals. Delaney added the Champions League Final could be moved from Istanbul because Turkey's capital won't earn a return on investment for a Final that will be played behind closed doors and without fans due to the virus outbreak.

Hours after Delaney's story dropped, Tariq Panja of the New York Times confirmed Instanbul won't host the Final. Panja added that "a number of alternative venues" are being considered by UEFA, that a decision regarding the two European tournaments may not be made until June 17, and that Istanbul could be awarded a future UCL Final once supporters are welcomed back to stadiums.

The German Bundesliga returned earlier this month. England's Premier League is set to restart on June 17, followed by the Italian Serie A on June 20. On Friday, fans learned Spain's La Liga will resume play on June 11.

The Dutch Eredivisie voided its season in April, while Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Ligue 1 champions later that month.

Many questions remain for how the two European cup competitions will play out in August. Time restraints may prevent home-and-home fixtures if leagues wish to begin 2020-21 domestic seasons before the end of September. 

It's also unknown if matches will be played at neutral venues with a club such as PSG likely unable to host matches through the end of August due to government restrictions.

On Thursday, Ryan Bailey of Yahoo Sports campaigned that Germany should host the remainder of the Champions League tournament, particularly if rounds are changed to "one-off" matches.