26th March 2026 - #PepsiKickOffShow - Pepsi® and UC3 are excited to announce that The Killers will headline the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi on May 30th at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Pepsi and UC3 will once again mark the final with its eagerly anticipated curtain raiser, with the event set to be an unforgettable experience just minutes ahead of the match.
Since arriving on the world stage in 2004, The Killers have gone on to solidify their place as globally recognised rock icons of the 21st century, boasting over 35 million albums sold, including multi-platinum hits like ‘Mr. Brightside’, ‘When You Were Young’ and ‘Human’. The legendary quartet is now entering a bold new era, having recently confirmed their eighth studio album is in the works, with electrifying global performances also on the horizon.
Most notably, The Killers will headline this year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi. Football’s influence extends far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch, and The Killers hold a significant place within this global fan culture. Bringing their stadium-sized anthems to one of the world’s most prestigious sporting stages, the band is set to deliver a high-octane performance featuring a career-spanning setlist of fan favourite hits, including global football anthem, Mr Brightside.
To announce this iconic show, The Killers’ feature in a short film alongside football figure, Sir David Beckham. In the film, we see the legendary pair in a high-stakes race to the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest. Upon seeing the official Kick Off Show announcement on a television, the stars challenge each other to a "race" to the stadium, Brandon Flowers jumping into a custom electric blue classic car and Sir David Beckham departing on his motorcycle. The film, titled "The Race Begins," pays homage to the anticipation leading up to the biggest match in club football and the way the Pepsi Kick Off Show fuses football and music together to create one night of epic entertainment.
The Killers commented: "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 honored to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match."
Eugene Willemsen, CEO, International Beverages at PepsiCo added:
“Pepsi has a proud history of bringing big cultural moments in sports and music to fans around the world, and this year is no different. Through Pepsi Football Nation, our fan platform celebrating the culture and passion at the heart of the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show, we’re proud to welcome one of the most loved rock bands of the 21st century, The Killers, to the stage in Budapest. We are delighted to partner with a band that embodies the spirit of Pepsi, creating the kind of moments that define how the game is experienced. We can’t wait for them to deliver their electrifying performance and world-renowned anthems at the Puskás Aréna, and we look forward to the reaction from fans in the stadium and around the world.”
Guy-Laurent Epstein, Co-Managing Director, UC3, said: “The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi has grown into a true landmark moment in global entertainment, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular yet. The Killers are an iconic band whose energy will set the perfect tone in Budapest, delivering an exhilarating start to the biggest match in European club football. Together with Pepsi, we’re proud to elevate the fan experience once again — in the stadium and for millions watching worldwide.”
Once more, Pepsi and UC3 will mark the UEFA Champions League final with a momentous music performance showcasing the world’s most iconic artists and uniting football and music fans through one compelling entertainment spectacle. The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi will be aired all around the world and territories globally, just minutes before the showpiece fixture of the club football season commences.
Fans can tune in to watch the Kick Off Show via their local broadcaster and through the official UEFA YouTube channel. Fans are encouraged to stay in-the-know by following Pepsi on Instagram, X (formally Twitter), and Facebook.
#PEPSIKICKOFFSHOW
The Killers are a Las Vegas-based four-piece, formed in 2003 and featuring the talents of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Ronnie Vannucci (drums), Dave Keuning (guitar) and Mark Stoermer (bass). Their 2004 debut, Hot Fuss, introduced era-defining anthems including “Mr. Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me”, and “All These Things That I’ve Done,” launching a career marked by global acclaim and success. The follow-up, Sam's Town, with hits including “When You Were Young” and “Read My Mind”, cemented their reputation, while subsequent releases, including Day & Age and its massive single, “Human”, and Battle Born, showcased a band continually evolving in sound and scope.
With over 35 million albums sold worldwide, and headline performances at the world’s biggest stadia and festivals, including Glastonbury and Coachella, The Killers have remained a dominant force in modern rock. Their chart-topping albums Wonderful Wonderful, Imploding the Mirage, and Pressure Machine were critically lauded and continued a record-breaking string of consecutive U.K. No. 1 records, culminating in their largest sold-out world tour to date. The band marked two decades since their debut and celebrated their enduring legacy with Rebel Diamonds, a curated collection spanning their storied catalogue and reaffirming their place as one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most vital voices. The band are currently working on songs for a much-anticipated new album.
Since its inauguration in 2016, Pepsi has brought live global music talent to the world’s most watched annual football event, evolving the UEFA Champions League final into a truly global entertainment platform.
Pepsi has a rich heritage in football entertainment and has long championed the diversity of artists and genres. So, who better to headline the UEFA Champions League final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi than one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century, The Killers, who inspired a generation and are back to inspire and entertain once again.
UC3 unites European football’s governing body UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC), representing more than 800 top European clubs, around a new vision for managing commercial rights to UEFA club competitions (the “UCCs”). It is the commercial entity responsible for generating revenues from the UCCs and creating value for our partners. UC3 oversees the management, sales and delivery of all commercial rights (including media, sponsorship and licensing rights) for UEFA’s elite men’s and women’s club competitions.
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and drinks, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
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