The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will be held in Budapest’s Puskás Arena, marking the first time Hungary hosts club football’s most prestigious match.
The European Football Association Executive Committee made this announcement, after its meeting in Dublin,Ireland, showing Hungary’s growing prominence in the football world.
The Puskás Arena, which was inaugurated in 2019, has previously hosted the 2020 Super Cup and the 2023 Europa League final, making this its third European Cup final.
Puskás Arena is the largest sports facility in Hungary with 67,150 seating capacity p at a time. The current arena was built on the site of the demolished Puskás Ferenc Stadium, formerly Népstadion, in 2016, using material from the concrete of the former building.
Meanwhile, UEFA did not mention the host for the 2027 final during its meeting in Dublin, deferring the decision until September due to the ongoing redevelopment of Milan’s San Siro stadium.
Also, the 2026 Europa League final will be held in Istanbul, with Frankfurt hosting the event in 2027.
The last match of the 2025/26 Conference League season will take place at RB Leipzig’s stadium, while Istanbul is set to host another European Cup final in 2027.
The women’s Champions League final is scheduled for Oslo in 2026, with a new bid process for the 2027 final.
President of the Hungarian Football Federation, Sándor Csányi, who was satisfied with UEFA’s decision, recognizing it as a validation of Hungary’s efforts in organizing high-profile football events.
“With today’s decision, UEFA has recognized the international and organizational work of MLSZ,” said Mr. Csányi on the association’s website.
He stated that the Hungarian Football Federation exhibited ability to host events of increasing scale and significance has been key to earning UEFA’s trust.
Sándor Csányi explained several successful events hosted by Hungary in recent years, including the women’s European League final, European age-group championships, the 2020 Super Cup, the 2021 European Championship, and the 2023 Europa League final. He credited the Puskás Arena and the Hungarian government’s support for UEFA events as significant factors in securing these prestigious matches.
“After the women’s European League final, the European age-group championships, the Super Cup in 2020, the European Championship in 2021, and last year’s Europa League final were all successful. The Puskás Arena and the support the government provides for UEFA events played a big role in this,” the MLSZ’s head said.
He went further that hosting the UEFA Champions League final resonates with the strategic objectives of MLSZ and is crucial for the continued development and popularity of football in Hungary.
“By organizing the most prestigious club football match in Budapest, MLSZ is achieving another of its strategic objectives. This is important because the hosting of the UEFA Champions League final will also contribute to the continued development of football in Hungary and to its popularity,” Mr. Csányi concluded.
As Budapest prepares to host the 2026 UEFA Champions League final, the nation looks forward to further establishing itself as a central player in the global football community.
