According to UEFA, this free event will feature live music as well as football activities, plus appearances by football legends and other entertainment across four days in one of Budapest’s best-known public spaces.

The open festival officially opens on Thursday morning with the arrival of the Champions League trophy, presented by former Brazilian star Cafu alongside Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony.

One of the biggest attractions of the weekend will be a Friday night performance by Sigala from the UK, who headlines the main stage programme on 29 May at 21:00 in front of the Museum of Fine Arts.

UEFA has also confirmed that Hungarian act Vasovski Symphonic Live x Carson Coma will headline the opening concert on Thursday evening.

The football governing body says visitors will also be able to experience photo opportunities with the Champions League trophy throughout the festival, and former football stars are also expected to appear during the weekend build-up to the final.

Day-by-Day Events Guide

Thursday 28 May

The festival officially opens at 10:00, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 10:30. UEFA says the Champions League trophy will arrive at Heroes’ Square accompanied by Cafu and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony.

Main stage highlights include DJ Yamina at midday, freestyle football shows and fan entertainment throughout the afternoon, before the evening headline concert by Vasovski Symphonic Live x Carson Coma from 21:00–22:00.

Friday 29 May

Friday’s programme includes freestyle football performances, DJ sessions and live broadcasts connected to the Ultimate Champions Legends Tournament taking place at Budapest Sportaréna.

The evening programme builds towards the main international concert of the festival, with DJ StadiumX performing before Sigala takes the stage from 21:00–22:00.

Saturday 30 May – Champions League Final Day

UEFA says the festival will continue throughout final day with football activities and entertainment at Heroes’ Square ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final at Puskás Aréna later that evening.

Large crowds are expected across the city centre as supporters gather before kick-off.

Sunday 31 May

The final day of the festival will include live DJ sets, football showcases, community matches and a closing celebration for volunteers and organisers before the event officially ends at 18:00.

Special Security & Transport Arrangements

As XpatLoop.com reported earlier this week, extensive security preparations are underway across central Budapest ahead of the final weekend, with thousands of police officers expected to be deployed during the football celebrations.

The final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal F.C. is expected to attract around 60,000 supporters to Puskás Aréna, while many more ticketless suppporters are also expected to arrive in Budapest.

Fans holding match tickets can use Budapest’s entire public transport network free of charge from Friday to Sunday - including the 100E Airport Express service.

Budapest’s public transport network will operate with significantly increased capacity before, during and after the match.

To support the Champions Festival at Heroes’ Square, the historic M1 metro line will also operate more frequently over four days, in line with festival opening hours.

Metro lines M2 and M4, along with Tram 1, will run every 2–3 minutes during peak periods on the day of the final.

On Saturday alone, around 100 additional buses, trams and metro services will be deployed across Budapest. Direct public transport connections will also run between Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and designated fan meeting points.

From Friday through Sunday, the 100E Airport Express and 200E bus services will depart every 2–3 minutes to accommodate the increased passenger demand.

Authorities will also reopen Ferihegy Terminal 1 for three days to help manage the surge in airport traffic.

Before the match, special 100E Airport Express buses will run from Terminal 1 towards the city centre. After the final, airport-bound services - including the 100E and 200E - will stop at Ferihegy railway station to serve the terminal.

In another major traffic measure, police will reserve the airport expressway exclusively for public transport vehicles between 8 AM and 5 PM on Saturday.

BKK has urged both football supporters and Budapest residents to use public transport wherever possible, especially the metro network, during the event.

Significant traffic restrictions will be in place around Puskás Aréna and at several other locations across the city, with such areas accessible only on foot on Saturday.

Alongside the stadium itself, major event zones will include City Park, Heroes’ Square and the MTK Sportpark on Kerepesi Road.


Sources:
UEFA Champions Festival programme, UEFA event guide, BKK travel information

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