Sports Events and Venues in Budapest
Budapest is crazy about sports all year long. The city hosts some amazing competitions that bring top athletes and fans from around the world. You get beautiful sports venues mixed with historic buildings, which makes watching any event here pretty special. If you love sports or just want to add some excitement to your trip, there's tons of different events happening throughout the year.
Big Annual Events
The Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is the biggest sporting event in Budapest. We always tell people this is a must-see if you're visiting in late July or early August. The Hungaroring track is about 30 minutes from downtown, and drivers call it "Monaco without walls" because it's so tight and twisty. We went a few years back and the whole weekend feels like one big motorsport party, with practice sessions and qualifying building up to Sunday's main race.
Budapest Marathon happens every October and brings over 16,000 runners from more than 100 countries. The route goes through historic streets and along the Danube, so runners get incredible views of the city's famous buildings. There are different distances for everyone - full marathon, half marathon, and shorter fun runs. Even if you're not running, we discovered the atmosphere during marathon weekend is electric and makes the whole city buzz with energy.
Football matches with Hungary's national team are huge here. Puskás Aréna holds over 65,000 people and gets incredibly loud during home games. We've been to a few matches and the atmosphere is intimidating for visiting teams but amazing for spectators. The stadium also hosts big club matches and will have the UEFA Champions League Final in 2026.
What's Coming in 2025
Next year has some really exciting international events that show why Budapest is becoming such a popular sports destination.
Spring 2025
The UIPM Pentathlon World Cup comes to Budapest April 22-26. This brings together athletes who compete in five different sports - fencing, swimming, horse riding, shooting, and running. We find it fascinating to watch because these athletes have to be good at so many different things.
Hungarian football keeps going strong with OTP Bank Liga matches. Budapest has several clubs like Ferencvárosi TC, Újpest, and MTK Budapest. The derby between Ferencvarosi and Újpest is one of the most heated rivalries in Hungarian football. We recommend going to one if you want to see what local sporting passion really looks like.
Summer 2025
World Judo Championships happen June 13-20 and turn Budapest into the center of the judo world. Seven days of intense competition across all weight categories for men and women. László Papp Budapest Sports Arena is perfect for watching world-class martial arts up close.
There's an international football friendly between Hungary and Sweden at Puskás Aréna on June 6. Should be a great match with the Hungarian team playing at home in front of their passionate fans.
Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix returns to Hungaroring August 1-3. This race always produces exciting action and draws fans from all over Europe. We learned the hard way to book accommodation early because hotels fill up fast during Grand Prix weekend.
Major Sports Events in Budapest 2025
| Event | Dates | Venue | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIPM Pentathlon World Cup | April 22-26, 2025 | Budapest | Modern Pentathlon |
| Hungary vs Sweden | June 6, 2025 | Puskás Aréna | Football |
| World Judo Championships | June 13-20, 2025 | László Papp Sports Arena | Judo |
| Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix | August 1-3, 2025 | Hungaroring | Motorsport |
| Budapest Marathon | October 12, 2025 | City streets | Running |
Top Sports Venues
Budapest has some really impressive sports facilities that mix modern features with cool architecture. These places don't just host big competitions - they've become landmarks you should check out.
Puskás Aréna is Hungary's biggest sports venue and one of Europe's most impressive football stadiums. It was built where the old Ferenc Puskás Stadium used to be and opened in 2019. Besides football, the stadium hosts concerts and major events, including the UEFA Champions League Final in 2026.
László Papp Budapest Sports Arena is the country's second-biggest sports complex and fits over 12,000 people. This place hosts handball, basketball, ice hockey, and other indoor sports, plus concerts and cultural events. We've noticed it regularly hosts the EHF Women's Champions League Final Four.
Duna Arena was built for the 2017 World Aquatics Championships and is one of Europe's most advanced swimming facilities. This place looks amazing and has two Olympic-sized pools and a diving pool. Capacity can be adjusted between 5,000 and 15,000 spectators depending on the event. It has hosted multiple World and European championships in swimming and water polo.
Hungaroring is just outside Budapest in Mogyoród and has been part of the Formula 1 calendar since 1986. The track layout is challenging and Hungary's hot summer weather creates unique racing conditions. We've seen some memorable Grand Prix moments here over the decades.
Sports History and Success
Budapest's sports identity comes from Hungary's incredible Olympic tradition. The country has earned over 500 Olympic medals, with swimming, fencing, and water polo making up a big chunk of this impressive total.
Water polo is huge in Hungarian sports culture. The men's national team has won nine Olympic gold medals - more than any other country. Budapest is the center of this tradition, with several historic clubs based here and regular international matches at the Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium on Margaret Island.
Fencing is another area where Hungary really excels. The country keeps producing world-class competitors. Budapest has hosted World Fencing Championships multiple times, most recently in 2013 and 2019, bringing the sport's best athletes to compete in this technically demanding sport.
Swimming has brought Hungary tons of international success. Budapest-based swimmers regularly make it to Olympic and World Championship podiums. Duna Arena now serves as the main training facility for the next generation of Hungarian swimming talent.
Special Sports Experiences
Besides big international competitions, Budapest has unique sports experiences that mix athletic activity with cultural significance.
The annual Bike Budapest Parade happens every April and turns the city streets into a cycling celebration. This community event promotes cycling culture and sustainability while letting participants see Budapest's amazing architecture from a different angle. The route goes past many famous landmarks and thousands of people of all ages join in. We discovered this event by accident during one of our visits and it was such a fun surprise.
If you can't make the October marathon, Budapest has plenty of great jogging routes. Margaret Island has a 5.3km rubberized running track that goes around the island with stunning views of the Danube and city skyline. No cars are allowed on the island, which makes it perfect for runners who want a peaceful workout in a natural setting.
Traditional horse shows near Budapest show off the skills of Hungarian cowboys (csikós) and the country's horse heritage. Events like the National Gallop and Hortobágy Equestrian Days happen outside the city, but they're easy day trips and give you insight into Hungary's deep connection with horses.