PSG Boss Claims Super Bowl Is Bigger Than The Champions League And Football Showcase Needs An Opening Ceremony

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed that NFL's showpiece match, the Super Bowl, feels bigger than football's Champions League, and called on the European match to include a big opening.

Al-Khelaifi, who is now the Chairman of the European Club Association, is desperate to see his team win a Champions League final at some point.

The Qatari businessman would want to see that win played alongside an opening ceremony that is akin to the halftime show seen at the Super Bowl, as he's worried the American annual game is bigger than Europe's showpiece.

"The final should be bigger," Al-Khelaifi told The Athletic, apparently forgetting the reported 400 million who tune into the Champions League climax every year on tv.

"I can't understand how the Super Bowl can feel bigger than the Champions League final. 

"The Super Bowl, and the US generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment.

"That's what I have suggested, to have an opening ceremony to the Champions League, to have one match on the opening night where the winners take on a big team — maybe it is not a good idea, but at least let's challenge the status quo.

"Each match needs to be an event and entertainment."

Eminem playing this year's Super Bowl halftime show. Image: PA Images

Football fans have often been against the idea of a big pre show before the Champions League final, with bans having played ahead of kick off in recent years.

Fans in the past have argued that the football should be the entertainment and that it doesn't need anything alongside it to make it better.

However, the NFL over the years has become huge news, even outside of America, for the halftime show and lots of viewers, especially outside of the US, tune in to watch.

This year's edition really stole the show, as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige And Kendrick Lamar wowed the audiences SoFi Stadium, as the Los Angeles Rams won the title.

Dua Lipa playing the Champions League final opening ceremony in 2018. Image: PA Images

It's not the first idea that's been made to make the Champions League seem like a bigger deal, and potentially make the game more appealing to an American audience.

In the past there has reportedly been talks to take the biggest game in European football to be played outside of the continent, with New York talked about as a potential venue.

The US is set to be hosting the World Cup, alongside Mexico and Canada, in 2026, the second time the country will have hosted the tournament, having done so in 1994.