Champions League final opening ceremony: Start time, how to watch and who is performing before PSG vs Arsenal
The Champions League final is almost upon us as Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal do battle for European club football’s biggest prize in Budapest.
Saturday night’s showpiece fixture pits the newly-crowned champions of England against the dominant champions of France, who are also the current holders in this competition.
Arsenal are bidding to claim Champions League glory for the first time in their history and pull off a memorable trophy double, while PSG can become only the second club in the Champions League era to win back-to-back titles.
It isn’t just the football taking centre stage at the Puskas Arena this weekend, with a pre-match opening ceremony planned again for this season’s final that features a world-renowned music act performing some of their biggest hits before kick-off. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is there a Champions League final opening ceremony?
Yes, but it’s officially titled as the ‘2026 UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show presented by Pepsi’.
Champions League opening ceremony start time
No official start time for the pre-match show appears to have been yet confirmed by UEFA.
That means the kick-off show should be under way at around 30 minutes before kick-off, approximately 4:30pm BST, though it could be slightly later.
How to watch Champions League final opening ceremony
TV channel: You can watch live coverage of the Champions League final kick-off show through local broadcasters, which in the UK is TNT Sports. Their Champions League final programme begins at 3pm BST on TNT Sports 1 on Saturday afternoon.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can catch it live online via the HBO Max app and website, while the show will also be broadcast live on the official UEFA website and YouTube channel.
Live blog: Standard Sport will bring you updates via our Champions League final live blog, which will feature expert insight and analysis from Arsenal correspondent Matt Verri in Budapest.
Rock royalty: The Killers will perform ahead of the Champions League final in Budapest
Getty
Who is performing at Champions League final opening ceremony?
This year’s Champions League final kick-off show is being headlined by Las Vegas rock legends The Killers, who said: “When we were asked to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show presented by Pepsi we said, ‘Yes’ without hesitation; some stages speak for themselves.
“We’re honoured to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match.”
The Killers’ performance will follow the showing of a new short film called ‘The Race Begins’, which features both the band – fronted by Brandon Flowers – and footballing icon Sir David Beckham.
It is described by UEFA as a “playful, high-stakes race to reach the most highly-anticipated match of the season”.
Linkin Park performed before the 2025 Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan in Munich, while it was Lenny Kravitz taking to the stage before Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund faced off at Wembley in 2024.
Anitta and Burna Boy, with special guest Alesso, were the 2023 headliners in Istanbul, where Manchester City beat Inter.
