Hungary’s brand new national arena replacing the iconic stadium named after the same legendary Hungarian football player.
Key facts
Club: none | Opening: 2019 | Capacity: 67,155 seats
History & description
The Puskás Arená is the recently opened new national station of Hungaru that replaced the old Puskas Ferenc Stadion, which had been the home of the Hungary national team since 1953.
First plans for a new stadium were made in the mid 2000s when Hungary bid to organise the Euro 2012 Championships. Even though the bid ultimately failed, the Hungarian government kept developing plans to build a new modern stadium, though it took until 2012 for the first concrete plans to be presented.
Still, little progress was made until Budapest was selected as one of the host cities of the Euro 2020 Championships in 2014, which was done on the premise of a new stadium.
Plans were made for the construction of an entirely new 68,000 all-seater, more than in previous plans. The plans meant that the old Ferenc Puskas Stadion would have to get demolished.
It took two more years for works to finally start, but by early 2017 the entire old stadium had been demolished.
The Puskas Arena officially opened on 15 November 2019 with a friendly match between Hungary and Uruguay (1-2). It came at a cost of 415 mln euro.
The stadium will be one of the playing venues of the 2020 European Championships, hosting 3 first stage group matches and one round of 16 match.
The Puskas Arena has been selected to host the 2022 Europa League final.
How to get to the Puskas Arena
The Puskas Arena is located just east of central Budapest at only a kilometer from Budepest Keleti central railway station (or 10 minutes walking). The city’s historic centre is about two kilometres further west.
The stadium is easily reached with metro line 2, which runs from the historic centre in eastern direction. Take the metro at, for example, Kossuth Lajos, Deak Ferenc, Astoria, or Keleti in the direction of Ors Vezer. Get off at stop Puskas Ferenc Stadion.
Address: Puskas Arena, Budapest, 1146 Hungary
Eat, drink, and sleep near the Puskas Arena
The Puskás Arena is located in an area that is a mix of other sports facilities, offices, residential buildings, and some retail. While you may find the odd place to eat or drink, it is likely a better idea to do this in central Budapest as this is only a short metro ride or walk away.
There are various hotels in the immediate vicinity of Puskás Ferenc Stadion. Danubius Hotel Arena and Green Hotel Budapest are decent options right near the metro stop. Híd Hotel is a cheaper budget alternative.
The Lions Garden Hotel comes in the higher end and is located on the other side of the stadium toward the railway station. There are various other very decent alternatives near Keleti railway station, which is at walking distance from the stadium.
Click here for an overview of all hotels near the Puskas Arena, and here for further options in central Budapest.
Photos of the Puskas Arena
Photo credits: OD Pictures – Kiemelt Kormányzati Beruházások Központja Nonprofit Zrt.
Useful Internet link
Budapestinfo.hu – Official website of Budepest tourism.
Bkv.hu – Budapest public transport information.