Balásy Gyula's firm awarded 1.64 billion‑forint contract for Budapest Champions League final

The National Event Organising Agency (NRÜ) signed a net 1.64 billion‑forint (over 2 billion HUF with VAT) framework contract with Lounge Event Kft, owned by Gyula Balásy, to prepare and run the 2026 Champions League final in Budapest. The deal, arranged through the National Communication Office under Rogán Antal, comprised four parts: two 2025 preparatory agreements worth a total of 274 million HUF, and two larger 2025 contracts of 975.6 million HUF and 385.7 million HUF for the final's execution. The plan called for 60,000 spectators at Puskás Arena and tens of thousands at fan‑zone sites. Two days before the May 30 final, several suppliers refused to work without advance payments, leaving a shortfall of about 300 million HUF that the government covered. Subsequently, the NAV enforcement unit began collection actions, and the contracts were terminated after investigations into alleged money‑laundering and mismanagement. Additional state spending included a 43 million HUF extra budget for pitch maintenance and 159.2 million HUF for lighting upgrades at the BOK Sports Hall. Balásy’s companies had their accounts frozen and were removed from future public procurement.