On May 31, 2025, the UEFA Champions League Final will take place at the football arena in Munich, Germany (Allianz Arena). Pepsi and UEFA will once again kick off the major sporting event with a spectacular opening show. It has now been revealed that LINKIN PARK will perform live during the Kick-Off Show. This news is sure to thrill the millions of fans of the iconic band. With tracks like "The Emptiness Machine", LINKIN PARK was the only rock band last year to surpass 2 billion streams worldwide.
In September 2024, LINKIN PARK announced their comeback, over seven years after the tragic death of their legendary frontman Chester Bennington. With new songs such as "The Emptiness Machine", which were performed to perfection by new singer Emily Armstrong the band has not only had a massive presence on digital platforms, but also on German radio stations in recent weeks. Now, the Pepsi marketing team and UC3 have announced that LINKIN PARK will perform on May 31, 2025, at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show in Munich — with a setlist that merges the best of the band’s past and present.
As part of the collaboration, LINKIN PARK composed a new remix featured in a short film titled "Linkin Park x UCL Final Kick-Off Show | Presented by Pepsi", available on YouTube (see link). The track blends the band’s signature sound with the culture of European football. Linkin Park’s quadruple platinum hit 'Numb' has been mixed with typical soccer audio elements inspired by the UEFA Champions League, such as the referee’s whistle and the cheers of passionate fans. The film is a tribute to the highly anticipated annual opening show of the "final of all finals" in European club soccer – bringing together top sport and top music in a truly unique entertainment experience.
The band members of LINKIN PARK shared their excitement about the collaboration: "With our new album and ongoing tour, we’ve been overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm from fans. We can’t wait to bring that same energy to the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, presented by Pepsi. This is a brand-new experience for us as a band, and we’re looking forward to sharing some of our favorite songs from the past and present with thousands in the stadium and millions watching around the world."
Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand Marketing at PepsiCo, stated: "We’re proud to have one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century headlining this year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, presented by Pepsi. This marks the ninth year we’ve united millions of fans worldwide, and LINKIN PARK is sure to deliver a one-of-a-kind performance live from the Munich football arena. We’re thrilled to partner with artists who embody our ‘Thirsty For More’ philosophy and reflect the same boldness and spirit of innovation that defines Pepsi — and we can’t wait to see how fans react to this unforgettable show."
Guy-Laurent Epstein, Co-Managing Director of UC3 (the joint venture between UEFA and the club association ECA), added: "This year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, presented by Pepsi, promises to be a spectacular event, featuring a live performance from one of the most iconic rock bands in the world just minutes before the biggest match in European club football. Together with Pepsi, we are proud to continue elevating the fan experience — both in the stadium and for millions of viewers around the globe — with unforgettable entertainment on and off the pitch."
Fans can watch the Champions League Kick-Off Show presented by Pepsi live via their local TV broadcaster or on UEFA’s official YouTube channel. For updates, check out Pepsi’s official social media channels on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. #PEPSIKICKOFFSHOW
Cover Image (visual): Linkin Park x UCL Final Kick-Off Show – Presented by Pepsi (Copyright: UEFA)
About LINKIN PARK:
The iconic band recently returned to the global rock stage with the release of FROM ZERO — their first new album in seven years. The album topped charts worldwide and features No. 1 hits like "Heavy Is The Crown" and "The Emptiness Machine." The latter became the most successful rock song of 2024 with over 250 million streams. According to Billboard, LINKIN PARK was the only rock band to surpass 2 billion streams last year. Their momentum continues into 2025 with the new single "Up From The Bottom," part of the upcoming From Zero Deluxe Edition, releasing on May 16. Currently, the band is on their From Zero World Tour, performing around the globe, including throughout Europe. The tour is scheduled to end in South America in the fall of 2025.
About the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, presented by Pepsi:
Since its inception in 2016, Pepsi has brought global live music talent to the world’s most-watched annual football (soccer) event, transforming the UEFA Champions League Final into a global entertainment platform. Pepsi has a long-standing history in football entertainment and is committed to celebrating a diversity of artists and musical genres.
Related Topics: Pepsi, Linkin Park, UEFA Champions League Final 2025, football, soccer, final, Kick-Off Show, opening show, Pepsi, presenter, top act, highlight, Linkin Park, rock band, rock stars, music, sports, event sponsoring, music and sports
Summary: PEPSI rocks the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show on May 31, 2025 with LINKIN PARK live on stage at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Please note: This text was translated from the German EventMasterBook.de Event Magazine (see article: Pepsi präsentiert Linkin Park zum Champions League Finale). Please excuse any translation errors.
