With two of Europe’s biggest sides, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, set to joust in the Champions League final, fireworks are expected to flourish beneath the glint Munich lights.
Supernovas like Ousmane Dembele, Lautaro Martinez, Bradley Barcola and Denzel Dumfries are all expected to glitter atop Allianz Arena’s lush landscape. They aren’t the only headliners set to make their mark, though.
LIVE: Follow PSG vs. Inter Milan updates from Champions League final
Much like the Super Bowl, the Champions League final is its own spectacle in and of itself. With an anthem like few others and all the pomp and circumstance required of a gala, the event — viewed by hundreds of millions across the world — is unlike anything else in the world of sports.
So, what better place to tack on a few more melodies to get the masses ready for the beautiful game?
With that, here’s everything you need to know about the musical performance slated to take this year’s Champions League final by storm, including a rather essential query: is there a halftime show?
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Is there a halftime show at Champions League final?
Unlike the Super Bowl, the Champions League final does not include a halftime show. Rather, UEFA’s crown jewel has held pre-match performances in recent years. Lenny Kravitz showed off his talent during last year’s final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, while Dua Lipa delivered a stirring rendition of “One Kiss” prior to Liverpool’s match with Madrid in 2018.
Halftime shows could be coming to the soccer pitch sooner than you think; FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the Men’s World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-like musical event in between the match’s two halves.
But for now, the Champions League will spurn the desire to do the same, sticking with its usual pre-match format.
Who is performing at the Champions League final?
UEFA enlisted American rock band Linkin Park to kick off the Champions League final on Saturday. The California-based act is one of the highest-profile bands of the century, having sold more than 100 million records. They have two Grammys, six American Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards under their belt.
The band, known for famed tunes, “In the End”, “Numb”, “Faint” and “One Step Closer”, among other tracks, looks a little different nowadays. Following frontman Chester Bennington’s suicide in 2017, the band went through a hiatus. It only recently resurfaced in 2024, bringing in veteran vocalist Emily Armstrong as the band’s co-lead singer alongside Mike Shinoda.
Linkin Park released its eighth studio album, “From Zero”, in November 2024.
What time does the Champions League final show start?
It’s unclear quite when Linkin Park will take the stage on Saturday. The match will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET (8 p.m. GMT), so it’s likely that the opening ceremony will start an hour or two before the sides take to the ground at Allianz Arena.
History of Champions League final performers
| Teams | Year | Performer(s) |
| Real Madrid 1 (5), Atletico Madrid 1 (3) | 2016 | Alicia Keys |
| Real Madrid 4, Juventus 1 | 2017 | The Black Eyed Peas |
| Real Madrid 3, Liverpool 1 | 2018 | Dua Lipa |
| Liverpool 2, Tottenham Hotspur 0 | 2019 | Imagine Dragons |
| Chelsea 1, Manchester City 0 | 2021 | Marshmello featuring Selena Gomez and Khalid (virtual) |
| Real Madrid 1, Liverpool 0 | 2022 | Camila Cabello |
| Manchester City 1, Inter Milan 0 | 2023 | DJ Alesso featuring Burna Boy and Anitta |
| Real Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 0 | 2024 | Lenny Kravitz |
