Budapest police say the Champions League final Budapest security operation was completed “successfully”, with only a limited number of interventions despite the massive crowds drawn to the city for Saturday night’s PSG–Arsenal final at the Puskás Aréna.

In a Sunday morning statement, the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) said around 4,000 officers took part in the policing effort linked to the Champions League final and associated events. The force reported 13 individual incidents requiring police action, with six people detained or arrested. BRFK described this as a “very low” figure relative to the scale of the event and compared with similar matches hosted abroad.

A brawl on Király Street set the tone early

The weekend did not start quietly. In the early hours of Saturday, supporters clashed on Király Street in Budapest’s 7th district, with video shared on social media appearing to show punches thrown and flares set off. BRFK said the fight broke out at around 00:20, and investigators were reviewing camera footage to identify those involved.

Blikk also reported additional smaller incidents around fan events and the city centre ahead of the final, though police said there were no “mass brawls” or other serious crimes linked to the match day itself.

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Match day itself “without major disorder”, says BRFK

Despite the tens of thousands of travelling fans and the heightened risk profile of a Champions League final, BRFK maintained that Saturday’s main events passed without major disruption. In its summary, the force emphasised the absence of large-scale violence and said interventions remained limited to isolated cases.

British reporting echoed that police were investigating the pre-match street brawl, while the game itself went ahead as planned at the Puskás Aréna.

Why the police operation was unusually large

For foreign readers: hosting a UEFA Champions League final is one of the most logistically demanding single-day events a European capital can stage. Beyond the stadium, authorities must manage airport arrivals, large fan zones, city-centre foot traffic, late-night public transport, and potential flashpoints where rival groups meet.

In Budapest’s case, police had already announced heightened checks and deployments across the city and key transport corridors for the period around the final.

BRFK also said it would keep an increased presence in Budapest, at the airport and nationally until supporters had left the country, reflecting the reality that disorder risks can spike during post-match celebrations and departures.

Ambulance service: around 40 treated, no extraordinary incidents during the match

Hungary’s National Ambulance Service (OMSZ) also reported a calm match night in medical terms. Spokesperson Pál Győrfi told the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) that no extraordinary incident occurred during the Champions League final that required emergency intervention. OMSZ staff provided assistance to around 40 people inside the Puskás Aréna during the PSG–Arsenal match, mainly treating fainting, minor injuries and general medical complaints, Győrfi said.

Public transport “stood its ground” despite record crowds

Budapest’s transport network also coped with the Champions League final weekend despite the huge influx of supporters. In the run-up to the match, BKK said it and its service providers had prepared with extra capacity and targeted operational measures between 29 and 31 May, including on the 100E Airport Express and other key routes serving the city centre and the Puskás Aréna area.

BKK also highlighted that match ticket holders could travel free on public transport within Budapest’s administrative boundaries during the three-day window (with limited exceptions such as the Buda Castle Funicular).

Rail operator MÁV Group published dedicated travel information for the final, saying it would have multiple unit trains and staff ready at Budapest’s three main stations from 6:00 pm on 30 May until 6:00 am the following morning, aiming to handle the post-match passenger wave.

Transport Minister Dávid Vitézy also praised frontline workers after the game, saying the final weekend brought record strain on Budapest’s transport system and the airport, and thanking staff across MÁV–Volán, BKK, taxi services, Budapest Airport and HungaroControl for their work. He said he personally visited the specially organised airport express services operating near the stadium late on Saturday.

Separately, Budapest Airport issued guidance ahead of the final weekend, warning of increased passenger traffic and publishing practical travel information for arrivals and departures.

The final: PSG beat Arsenal on penalties in Budapest

The 2025/26 Champions League final was played in Budapest on 30 May 2026, with Paris Saint-Germain defeating Arsenal on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Read our article here – Photos and video: Champions League final in Budapest

While the biggest scenes of post-final unrest were reported in Paris, where police detained dozens (and later, according to some reports, hundreds) during celebrations, Budapest authorities stressed that the Hungarian capital saw no comparable escalation linked to match day.

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What happens next

BRFK’s investigation into the Király Street clash is ongoing, with officers reviewing CCTV and working to identify additional participants.

For Budapest, the police summary is likely to be read as an attempt to underline that the city handled a high-profile UEFA showpiece without the kind of widespread disorder seen in other European capitals after major finals—an important reputational point as Hungary seeks to host more large international sports events in the coming years.