Stufish, in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio, Live Nation and Station 6, designed the stage for the UEFA 2026 Champions League Kick Off Show, performed by The Killers at the 67,155-capacity Puskás Arena, Budapest. The band’s anthems landed with full force on the crowd, setting the scene for a performance watched by over 145 million viewers worldwide.

The design brings the spirit of Las Vegas to the heart of Budapest, bold, reflective and built for spectacle at scale. The downstage face features a mirrored reflective surface with a contemporary twist on classic Vegas showmanship, while the rear elevation centres on a raised performer platform in glitter finish, flanked by feathered showgirls. Ultra-lightweight LED panels on the rear fascia combine cutting-edge technology with considered weight management across the pitch. Light bars along the downstage edge create a dynamic chasing effect, in collaboration with lighting designer Al Gurdon and PRG. Chevron-arranged steps and the mass cast, shifting between a fan mob and synchronised ensemble, complete the picture.

With a performance window of just six minutes, stage engineering and deployment demanded speed and precision from the outset. The stage was designed in 10 segments, each sized to travel directly from the voms onto the pitch. Build sequencing was rehearsed to ensure full assembly within the tight schedule.