This is a highly anticipated moment for football fans, and for music lovers as well. The UEFA Champions League final will take place this year on May 30, 2026 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. As every year, the grand finale also doubles as a musical showcase featuring an international group or artist.
So, after Linkin Park last year in Munich, Germany, who will have the honor of performing this spring in Budapest? Is it a band or a solo artist? What’s their nationality? The answer came this Thursday, March 26, 2026, from the UEFA Champions League. Drumroll please... It’s The Killers! The renowned American alternative rock band from Las Vegas has been chosen as the this year’s opening act for the Champions League final. For the occasion, a short film circulated on social media, with former British footballer David Beckham as a special guest!
The Killers thus join the impressive roster of artists who have had the honor of performing live at the occasion of the Champions League final. We’re reminded of Linkin Park and Lenny Kravitz, who performed during the opening ceremony of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. Before them, Camila Cabello, Imagine Dragons, and Dua Lipa also lit up the event. Note that the kickoff of the final will be streamed live on UEFA’s official YouTube channel.
We note that The Killers formed in 2001 around lead singer Brandon Flowers and guitarist Dave Keuning. Bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr soon joined. Since their debut, the band has released no fewer than seven studio albums, built around hits such as "Mr. Brightside", "Somebody Told Me", "Read My Mind", "Bones", as well as "Human" and "When You Were Young". The Killers are expected to release their new album in 2027.
Ahead of that, the American band will perform at the UEFA Champions League final, set for Budapest on May 30, 2026.
