Controversial Linkin Park Performance at Munich's Champions League Finale
Intense Reviews Suggest Flaws in Linkin Park Show - Veghement Criticism Levied Against Linkin Park's Showcase
On Saturday night, Munich's Allianz Arena became a bustling concert stage before the grand Champions League Final between PSG and Inter Milan. Weathering a storm of criticism, Linkin Park and violin prodigy David Garrett graced spectators with a lavish opening show.
As the American heavyweights belted out classics like "In The End" and "Numb", there was a strong backlash, especially from the Dutch broadcasting realm. Football legend Marco van Basten (60), a 1988 European champion and two-time Champions League winner, fumed with disdain on Ziggo Sport: "This is ridiculous beyond belief," he bellowed during the frustrating spectacle. He branded the performance as "useless, really useless."
His discontent revolved around the cessation of warm-up routines a half-hour before kick-off, attributing this lapse to UEFA's ludicrous treatment of the athletes and disregard for their performance readiness. Van Basten's critique resonated with his cohort expert Rafael van der Vaart (42), who agreed that the musical intrusion was uncalled-for distraction for the players.
Social Media Exuberance, Stadium Indifference
Online, reactions were far from muted. Enthused spectators took to social media, "This rivals the game itself!" declared one, while another chimed in, "A brilliant show by Linkin Park, bring on the final!" But the silence within the stadium after their performance told a different story.
Linkin Park's revived lineup, led by new vocalist Emily Armstrong (39), serenaded the audience with a medley of chart-topping hits before David Garrett captivated the crowd with an electrifying rendition of "Seven Nation Army" on the violin. The stadium resonated with the football classic as the crowd joined in unison.
Linkin Park's performance in Munich marked another triumph in their comeback from obscurity since 2025, following frontman Chester Bennington's tragic demise in 2017. Their "From Zero" album breathed new life into rock music, skyrocketing their streams to over two billion annually[1].
The Sorrowful Absence of Chester Bennington
Despite their grandeur, fans couldn't help but miss the late Chester Bennington's unique presence. "Linkin Park without Chester is far from the same" and "Chester Bennington is deeply missed," some lamented. Others showed understanding: "I miss Chester Bennington, but Emily has a stellar voice."
The Pepsi-sponsored musical extravaganza was UEFA's endeavor to present the Champions League Final not only as a match but as a complete, spectacle-driven experience, emulating the awe-inspiring halftime shows of the Super Bowl[2]. Over 300 million viewers around the world bore witness to Linkin Park's flashy performance, decked with visually stunning special effects, masked dancers, and state-of-the-art stage technology. Yet, the debate remains — how much entertainment can be woven into the fabric of football without diluting its core essence.
[1] UEFA's Controversial Decision to Host Pre-Match Concerts: https://sportpress.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/1419801/ UEFA's Strategy to Create Halftime Show-like Experience: https://www.si.com/soccer/2025/09/15/uefa-champions-league-linkin-park-marco-van-basten-criticism
[2] UEFA's Aim to Become Super Bowl of Football: https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/news/uefa-wants-champions-league-final-to-become-the-super-bowl-of-football-aphrocen/b0twl5ua2btt6l4j64tp9jvux
The Champions League final in Munich's Allianz Arena served not only as a football showcase but also an entertainment event, featuring Linkin Park and David Garrett. This fusion of music and sports was intended to create a spectacle-driven experience, following UEFA's aim to emulate the Super Bowl's halftime shows.
Chester Bennington's absence from Linkin Park's lineup was deeply felt by fans, but the performance was still met with a mix of reactions. While some lauded the musical entertainment as rivaling the game itself, others criticized its impact on the athletes' performance readiness, echoing the sentiments of Marco van Basten and Rafael van der Vaart.
Despite the controversy surrounding the pre-match concert, the European championship continued to captivate the world with its sports and entertainment fusion, attracting over 300 million viewers.
