Which locations for the European finals in the 2025/26 season has UEFA chosen? Hungarians, Germans, and Turks have reason to celebrate – the most important matches of these competitions will be played there.

Budapest with a historic distinction

Hungary will host a Champions League final for the first time in history. On May 22, 2024, in Dublin, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided that Puskás Aréna in Budapest would host the final of the 2025/26 season.

The modern stadium, located in the Zugló district, can hold more than 67,000 spectators and has already proven itself as a venue for major events – it hosted matches at EURO 2020, the 2023 Europa League final, and the 2020 UEFA Super Cup.

UEFA’s decision was based on positive organizational experiences and strong support from the Hungarian government. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and FIFA Vice President Sándor Csányi were particularly active in lobbying for the decision.

Among the candidates to host the 2026 Champions League final, there were only two stadiums: the chosen Puskás Aréna in Budapest and San Siro in Milan. Ultimately, Budapest was awarded the match, while UEFA decided to postpone the decision regarding Milan and reconsider its candidacy for the following year’s final. As it later turned out, the final in Milan did not take place then either, due to a lack of guarantees about the stadium’s renovation.

Istanbul with another final, other cities without a chance

Istanbul will once again host one of the European finals. UEFA awarded Turkey the right to host the 2026 Europa League final. The match will be held at Besiktas’ stadium – Inonu Tupras Park, located in the city center.

This is another honor for Turkey, which has previously hosted the Champions League final (2005 and 2023), the UEFA Super Cup (2019), and the UEFA Cup final (2009). Turkish Football Federation president Mehmet Buyukeksi emphasized: We now have the honor of hosting two significant finals, demonstrating our ability to organize world-class football events. Our hard work has paid off.

UEFA selected Besiktas Park due to its modern infrastructure, strategic location, and prior organizational experience. In the selection process, Turkey beat specific bids from three other countries:

• Germany, which submitted as many as five stadiums: Merkur Spiel-Arena (Düsseldorf), Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt), Veltins-Arena (Gelsenkirchen), Red Bull Arena (Leipzig), and MHP Arena (Stuttgart),
• Romania, with Arena Națională in Bucharest,
• Scotland, with Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Leipzig beats Oslo, Jerusalem, and Glasgow

RB Arena in Leipzig has been chosen to host the 2026 Europa Conference League final. This marks the city’s historic debut as the organizer of a European final. The stadium, regularly used by RB Leipzig, has already staged matches of the 2006 World Cup and EURO 2024.

© ᎳᎾᏒᏞᎠ ᎳᎪᏞᏦᎬᏒᏃ | Red Bull Arena (Zentralstadion)

There were many candidates. In addition to Leipzig, the final competition included:

• Israel, with Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem,
• Norway, with Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo,
• Scotland, with Hampden Park in Glasgow,
• Switzerland, with Stade de Genève in Geneva,
• and Turkey, which formally submitted one of three stadiums in Istanbul: Besiktas, Galatasaray, or Fenerbahçe (to be specified at a later stage).

UEFA ultimately chose RB Arena – a venue with a capacity of around 47,000 spectators, with good infrastructure and strong city support. We are delighted to host the 2026 Conference League final in Leipzig, another major sporting event following the European Championship, said Johann Plenge of RB Leipzig. At the same time, the award confirms that Red Bull Arena, as a top-class stadium, offers the best conditions for staging international events.