Pepsi MAX Setting Up Drive-In Screenings for Champions League Final Across the Country

Pepsi MAX have come up with a novel way for English football fans to watch the Champions League final in the strangest of seasons, setting up a number of drive-in screenings for this month's showpiece event.

With the usual two-legged knockout ties scrapped and fans unable to attend the crucial late-stage games due to coronavirus-related regulations, Champions League partner Pepsi MAX are giving fans a chance to congregate – responsibly, at a safe distance – for the tournament's final on Sunday 23 August.

There will be five sites across the country: Alexandra Palace London, Tatton Park Manchester, Harewood House Leeds, Gunnersbury Park London and Stonor Park Henley-on-Thames.

Drive-ins were hugely popular destinations to watch films back in the 50s and 60s, especially in the US, although we're fairly sure that nobody was showing the 1960 European Cup final out there at that time. It's a shame really, there was no shortage of excitement as Ferenc Puskás and Alfredo Di Stefano's twin hat-tricks secured Real Madrid a 7-3 win that day.

Natalie Redford, UK Marketing Director for Pepsi Beverages commented: “As a proud sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, we want to connect football fans by offering locations across England to watch the UCL final on the big screen and from the comfort of their vehicle.

"There has been a big rise in drive-in events in Europe and with the lack of live football across 2020, we wanted to create a fantastic and safe experience for fans across the country. We can’t wait to celebrate the return of one of football's most thrilling competitions.”

It's not yet clear who'll be playing in the showpiece event, but the nouveau riche pair of Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig will face off in one semi final for the right to face either Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Lyon in Lisbon.

To purchase tickets for the Pepsi MAX Presents the UEFA Champions League Final, head to www.pepsi.co.uk to be sure you don’t miss out on the go-to football experience this summer.

For more from Chris Deeley, follow him on Twitter at @ThatChris1209!