Bozsik Aréna - Kispest Honvéd FC
- Chris Tuck
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Bozsik Aréna Budapest 1194, XIX ker,
Puskás Ferenc Utca, 1-3, Hungary
Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 8,200
The Lions Den - Pride of Budapest
Arriving at the brand new Bozsik Aréna in the south of Budapest does little to evoke the impressive history of the club who call this home.
The name ‘Honvéd Budapest’ is synonymous with Cold War-era football. In the 1950s the team aligned with the Hungarian army and the full name became Kispest-Honvéd Football Club. Kispest is the district they call home with ‘Honved’ meaning ‘Homeland Defence’.
In those days the team played at the old Bozsik József Stadion, a classic of its time, built in 1913.
The new stadium, built almost exactly on the footprint of the old ground, has all the modern amenities you’d expect but lacks its soul.
Matches rarely sell out and so tickets are easily available. Transport from central Budapest takes just under an hour.
Nicknamed the Lions, the club has a huge sculpture of the ‘King of the jungle’ on the stadium forecourt.
Food & Beverage 3
There are very few options to eat outside the ground. A supporters’ bar opposite the bus stop is mainly for drinks and the queues can be quite long. A few pop-up stalls sell sunflower seeds for visitors to munch on.
Inside, the usual Hungarian football cuisine is on offer. Two local beers, two spicy ‘bratwurst’ and a bottle of water cost around 7000Ft (£17). Very good value.
Atmosphere 3
The 1950s were a hugely successful time for Honvéd, who provided many players to the famous national side the ‘Mighty Magyars’. The stadium takes its name from one such superstar, József Bozsik, whose statue is prominent outside the ground.
As with many stadiums in Hungary, the new venue was built with help from the government and its football-loving former prime minister Viktor Orbán.
The capacity is 8,200 and it’s a UEFA Category 4 stadium. The whole footprint of the premises has been upgraded to ensure those arriving on foot, by bike or by public transport can access the facilities safely.
After some behind-closed-doors matches during Covid times, the official opening saw Villarreal CF B draw 0-0 with the Lions in July 2021.
Sixteen LED floodlights peer over the pitch, improving the overall spectacle of this well-designed structure. The main stand is the largest. The other three stands wrap around the pitch with a separate roof structure. Aluminum plates give the facade its distinctive look, a smaller version of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. The overall cost of the stadium was reported to be around HUF 17 billion.
The vociferous home fans congregate in the northern end of the ground, with away fans in the south-west corner.
Neighborhood 3
Kispest, known administratively as District 19, lies to the south of Budapest. The immediate surroundings of the stadium are mainly residential.
Back in Budapest there are a plethora of food establishments and attractions.
So many sights in Budapest are free, including the Parliament Building and the famous bridges. The Ethnography Museum’s wildflower roof is also a sight to see, with two tall, ski-slope-style structures and a memorial to the 1956 uprising in the middle.
Fans 4
With the majority of supporters sitting down, the atmosphere cannot be described as fervent. The average attendance, less than half the capacity, does not help either.
Thankfully, the ultras and away supporters remind you that you are at football, not the theatre.
In 2026/27, the club have just returned to the Hungarian top flight (NB1) after three years in the second tier. Average attendances have increased from just 2,510 in 2023/24 to nearly 4,000 in the autumn of 2026.
The club has 14 national titles, only bettered by Ferencváros, MTK and Újpest. With the legendary Puskás a former player, the new stadium and their famous red and black colours, there is huge pride in the Lions and their place in Hungarian footballing folklore.
Access 3
Tickets can be purchased easily online. Alternatively, the ticket office is open on matchdays and digital vending machines on the perimeter of the stadium also sell tickets.
From Deák Ferenc tér in the centre of Budapest, take Metro Line 3 to Határ út. Switch there to the 142E bus. The whole journey takes around 35 minutes.
On arrival, the landscaped surroundings make access for those with limited mobility really easy.
Scan your ticket to gain entrance. Stewards are on hand to assist if needed.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets are great value and almost always available. £15 is enough for a premium seat in the main stand, with other areas even cheaper.
A three-day pass to use all Budapest transport (trolley-bus / tram / metro) is just 5750Ft.
Refreshments are also cheaper than most top-flight grounds in Europe. All in all, a trip to the Bozsik represents excellent value for money.
Extras 3
A stadium tour can be booked through the club website. Prices are 1,490 Ft for adults and 1,190 Ft for under-18s.
You can’t visit Budapest and only visit one stadium. Try the century-old Sport utcai Stadion in the east of the city, a historic venue with a grandstand to die for.
The car park outer wall has a number of club related street art that brings some character to the otherwise perfectly landscaped environment.
