The Killers to Headline UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show, Reuniting Original Lineup
Get ready for a massive musical spectacle as iconic rock band The Killers have been announced as the headline act for this year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show, presented by Pepsi. In a significant reunion, the Las Vegas quartet will perform as a full four-piece for the first time in nearly a decade.
Brandon Flowers (vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums) will be joined on stage by lead guitarist Dave Keuning and bassist Mark Stoermer. This highly anticipated performance is set to take place at the 70,000-capacity Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30th, promising an unforgettable night of music and football.
To build excitement for the event, The Killers collaborated with football legend Sir David Beckham for a dynamic promotional video titled “The Race Begins.” The clip features Flowers in a custom electric blue convertible, racing Beckham, who is on a motorcycle, towards the Budapest venue. The visual playfully connects the worlds of music and sport, mirroring the essence of Pepsi’s Kick Off Show.
Fans can expect a setlist brimming with the band’s most celebrated hits, including the universally beloved football anthem, “Mr. Brightside.” The video’s narrative also subtly highlights how Pepsi’s Kick Off Show masterfully merges the passion of football with the electrifying energy of live music, creating a truly unmissable spectacle.
Expressing their enthusiasm for the upcoming gig, The Killers shared, “When we were asked to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi, we said yes without hesitation — some stages speak for themselves. We’re honored to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match.”
Eugene Willemsen, CEO of International Beverages at PepsiCo, echoed the sentiment. “Pepsi MAX has a proud history of bringing big cultural moments in sports and music to fans around the world, and this year is no different,” he stated. “We’re proud to welcome one of the most loved rock bands of the 21st century, The Killers, to the stage in Budapest. We can’t wait for them to deliver their electrifying performance and world-renowned anthems.”
The UEFA Champions League Final is one of the most-watched sporting events globally, drawing millions of viewers across the continent. This year’s final will feature two of the top 16 remaining teams battling it out for the coveted trophy. Last year’s final saw Paris Saint-Germain emerge victorious in Munich, defeating Inter Milan with a commanding 5-0 scoreline.
A Look Back at The Killers’ Journey
The Killers, formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, have achieved global superstardom over the past two decades. While Keuning and Stoermer stepped away from touring with the band in 2017, Flowers and Vannucci Jr. have remained incredibly active. They embarked on extensive tours, playing over 90 gigs in 2022 and a further 65 in 2023, and even held a residency at Caesar’s Palace in 2024.
Interestingly, even after 25 years in the spotlight, some devoted fans have only recently discovered the origin of the band’s name. The musicians behind chart-topping hits like “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside” initially added Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. to their lineup in 2002.
The revelation about the band’s name has sparked considerable discussion among their fanbase. The Killers’ moniker actually originates from a fictional band featured in the music video for New Order’s 2001 song “Crystal.” Brandon Flowers, a well-known admirer of New Order, spotted the name displayed on the drum kit of the fictional band within the video, as reported by The Mirror US. This detail adds another layer of musical history to the story of one of rock’s most enduring acts.
The upcoming performance at the Champions League Final Kick Off Show is not just a celebration of The Killers’ enduring legacy but also a testament to their continued relevance in the global music scene. Their reunion with Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer marks a special occasion for long-time fans and promises to deliver the high-octane performance they are renowned for. As the football world eagerly awaits the final, music lovers worldwide will be tuning in to witness The Killers light up the stage in Budapest.
