Puskás Ferenc Stadium

The site's football history stretches back to 1953, when the original stadium named after Hungary's greatest footballer first opened. The modern arena continues this legacy, but is an entirely new structure built from the ground up.

Construction and opening

The original Puskás Ferenc Stadion was inaugurated in 1953 and named after Ferenc Puskás, Hungary's most celebrated footballer, who led the legendary Arany Csapat (Golden Team) of the 1950s and later starred for Real Madrid. Falling into severe disrepair, the old stadium was closed in 2016 and demolished in 2017. Construction of the new arena began immediately on the same site. The new Puskás Aréna was officially opened on 15 November 2019 with a friendly match between Hungary and Uruguay (1-2). Total construction cost reached approximately 190 billion forints (over 500 million euros).

Major renovations

The current Puskás Aréna is a completely new-build stadium rather than a renovation of any prior structure. The architectural project was led by Sport Hungaria, a Hungarian design studio, with a strong emphasis on acoustics and spectator experience. The roof covers virtually all seating areas. Ahead of UEFA EURO 2020, minor adjustments were made to media facilities and hospitality areas to meet UEFA requirements. The pitch uses a modern hybrid turf system combining natural grass with synthetic fibres for year-round durability.

Notable moments

The defining event in the new stadium's history was UEFA EURO 2020 (held in 2021), during which Puskás Aréna was one of very few European venues to operate at full capacity — Hungary declined to impose Covid-19 crowd restrictions. The Group F matches Hungary vs. Portugal (0-3), Hungary vs. France (1-1), and Germany vs. France were watched by global audiences. The Hungary vs. France match — with Hungary leading until late in the second half and a full 67,000-strong crowd roaring — became one of the iconic images of the tournament. In November 2022, the stadium hosted UEFA Nations League semi-finals.

Puskás Aréna has earned a reputation as one of the most atmospheric football venues in Europe. The combination of a deeply passionate supporter culture and the arena's exceptional acoustics creates an environment that intimidates visiting teams and electrifies home crowds.

Fan culture

Hungarian football culture is rooted in the country's remarkable mid-20th century legacy — the Arany Csapat (Golden Team) of the 1950s remains a national symbol, having beaten England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953 in what many regard as the result that changed world football. Puskás Aréna physically and symbolically represents this heritage. The most vocal supporter sections are concentrated in the north stand, where choreographies and rhythmic chanting are organised. Hungarian football authorities (MLSZ) have worked hard to keep tickets affordable and accessible to drive attendance, and the effort paid off visibly during EURO 2020, when full houses greeted every match.

Big matches

UEFA EURO 2020 was the arena's first major international test, and Hungary faced arguably the tournament's toughest group: France, Germany, and Portugal in Group F. The match against France (1-1) was a defining moment — Hungary led through to the 66th minute before conceding, with the full stadium generating waves of noise that were audible in television broadcasts worldwide. Both Germany vs. France and Germany vs. Hungary became among the most-watched fixtures of the entire tournament. The arena has continued to stage high-profile UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifying fixtures since.

Puskás Aréna is conveniently located in a well-connected district of Budapest, making it easy to visit whether you are a resident or a travelling fan. Budapest itself is a major tourist destination, and the area around the stadium pairs naturally with several of the city's top attractions.

How to get there

• Metro: M2 line (red line), station Stadionok — the stadium exit leads directly to the arena; journey from the city centre (Deák tér) takes approximately 10 minutes
• Tram: lines 1 and suburban trams stop near the complex
• Bus: several routes connect the stadium to surrounding districts and to Keleti railway terminal
• Car: large car parks are available within the stadium precinct; aim to arrive at least 60 minutes before kick-off on matchdays
• On foot from the city centre: via Kerepesi út or through Városliget, approximately 40–50 minutes

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Hungary national team matches are sold through the official MLSZ website (mlsz.hu) and at stadium box offices. Prices typically range from approximately 2,000 to 15,000 HUF (6–40 EUR), depending on the match category and seating sector. The stadium offers guided public tours covering the changing rooms, VIP areas, and players' tunnel — advance booking is required via the arena's official website. Tours run most non-matchdays and are available in Hungarian and English.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: at least 60 minutes before kick-off for national team fixtures; security and bag checks are thorough
• Alcohol: beer is sold within the stadium concourse; bringing your own drinks is not permitted
• Food nearby: food and drink stalls operate inside the concourse; the Zugló district and the streets around Stadionok metro offer cafes and restaurants
• Combining with sightseeing: the stadium is within easy walking distance of Városliget (City Park), Hősök tere (Heroes' Square), and the Széchenyi thermal baths — all within 15 minutes on foot