Gyula Balásy, head of a business empire that has won virtually all government and state-owned company communication tenders under the Orbán governments, appears unable to pay subcontractors or even the headline performer for the Champions League final in Budapest, and has requested assistance from the Hungarian government.

Heroes’ Square party performer, subcontractors not paid

According to hvg.hu, Balásy’s Lounge Group is unable to make payments due to frozen bank accounts. The company has therefore sought government support and confirmed it is insolvent as a result of the asset freeze. Consequently, it cannot pay several subcontractors essential to organising the Champions League Fan Park event on 29 May. This includes the main performer, Sigala, whose fee of HUF 50 million (EUR 140,000) is also affected. The concert is planned to be free to the public. The company is also unable to pay for audiovisual equipment.

Balásy’s holding company previously received HUF 1.3 billion (EUR 3.66 million) from the Orbán government under a framework contract.

Lounge Group stated that it is open to all possible solutions to overcome the financial difficulties.

The Hungarian government confirmed that discussions are ongoing about a possible state takeover of Balásy’s companies.

Misappropriation of funds, money laundering

Balásy’s bank accounts and assets were frozen by Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration in early May 2026 as part of a criminal investigation into suspected misappropriation of funds (embezzlement) and money laundering. Balásy had earlier offered to transfer his companies and some of his investments to the state free of charge. Experts noted at the time that he was only willing to hand over less valuable assets, while retaining most of the funds obtained through public procurement.

Media baron Gyula Balásy
Balásy almost crying in the studio of Tisza-close Kontroll and offering his invaluable companies to the state. He already knew by the time of his interview that the National Tax and Customs Administration froze multiple bank accounts of his business empire. Source: Youtube/Kontroll/PrtScr

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Balásy’s firm was also behind Orbán’s anti-Ukraine campaign during the 2026 general election, in which the ruling Fidesz–KDNP alliance sought to portray Péter Magyar’s Tisza party as supporting the war in Ukraine and acting as a tool of Zelensky, allegedly aiming to divert Hungarian taxpayers’ money.

Budapest Champions League final (2)
This is how the Heroes’ Square is planned to look like on Friday evening. Photo: Facebook/ RTL Foci/PrtScr

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