Formula–1 and more – The Blue Ribbon and the Tour de Hongrie among Hungary’s top sporting events in 2026

The Maty-ér National Kayak and Rowing Olympic Centre in Szeged will once again serve as one of the premier stops on the international sprint racing circuit. The venue will welcome Olympic and world champion athletes lining up at the start over 200, 500 and 1000 metres, where the finals are decided within minutes in edge-of-your-seat battles. From the grandstand, the explosive starts and dramatic finishes unfold almost within arm’s reach. Maty-ér is a famously fast course, and world-class times are expected.

From 13 to 17 May 2026, the Tour de Hongrie participants will once again traverse the country. The peloton will start in Gyula and, passing through cities including Debrecen and Miskolc and then the Mátra region, among other places, will finish in Veszprém. In the mountain stages, for example around Kékestető, the competition is expected to be particularly spectacular, while the urban finishes are sure to become real crowd spectacles. Hours before the race, fans will gather along the route, while the team buses and support caravan create a lively atmosphere in the streets. The Tour de Hongrie is not just for cycling enthusiasts. If you have never seen a professional peloton ride past just a few meters away, this is your chance to experience the pace and energy of a world-class race up close.

The first-ever Champions League final in Hungary will take place at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on 30 May 2026. Boasting a capacity of over 65,000, the stadium is one of Europe’s most modern arenas and has already hosted numerous international matches. The final is not just about the match itself—official programmes, fan zones, and accompanying events are set up at various locations across the city. This is an evening all football fans should experience live!

The Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix returns to the Hungaroring from 24 to 26 July 2026. Located in Mogyoród, about 20 kilometres from Budapest, the circuit will welcome fans this year with its renovated main building, upgraded paddock, and refurbished grandstands. The track has been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since 1986, making it one of the region’s oldest F1 venues. However, the excitement is not limited to the track—during the Grand Prix weekend, downtown Budapest fills with international fans and a variety of accompanying events.

The Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix will take place on the ‘Hungarian Sea’ from 30 July to 1 August 2026. Europe’s oldest and longest lake-circling sailing race sees several hundred boats depart from Balatonfüred, with the fleet rounding the entire Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. The opening moments of the race are a spectacular sight, and along the shore a true summer festival atmosphere emerges. If you want to see the action on the water up close, Balatonfüred is an unmissable destination at this time, also offering excellent restaurants and museums where you can pass the time while waiting for the final results.