Champions League hopefuls forced to move ‘historic’ match due to Pitbull concert at stadium

A Lithuanian football team is being forced to play a huge Champions League qualifying match away from home due to a bizarre scheduling clash with music artist Pitbull.

FK Zauno Kalgiris are into the second round of Champions League qualifying after defeating Kosovo's champions Dritam 4-3 on aggregate, setting up a clash with the Faroe Islands champions Ki. The first leg will take place in the Faroe Islands on Tuesday, 21 July, and Kalgiris plays host the following week.

Unfortunately for the Lithuanian side, Pitbull is set to play a concert at their home stadium, the 15,000-seater Darius and Girenas Stadium, on 31 July, leaving them desperately searching for alternatives.

Zauno Kalgiris to play qualifier 30km away?

As things stands, the most likely outcome is FK Zauno Kalgiris playing the second leg of their Champions League second round qualifier 30km away in Jonova at a stadium that holds just 2,500 people, in a move that will thousands of fans unable to attend.

Initially, the Lithuanians had requested that the two legs be swapped, but this has not been possible as the Faroe Islands have their national holiday, St Olav’s Day, on 28 and 29 July. 

Justifying the decision to book the concert, the club's chairman, Mantas Kalnietis said:

“For the stadium, concerts like this are a major source of revenue, and for the city’s residents, it’s also a great time. Ultimately, the income generated strengthens our entire organisation, enabling us to build a better team and improve our chances of reaching the group stage.

Željko Sopić commented on Kauno Žalgiris being unable to play their Champions League qualifying match against Klaksvík at their home stadium due to Pitbull’s concert taking place there.

“We have to relocate because of a concert by some ‘dog’ or somebody.” pic.twitter.com/P3zOOuF8zv

— TheCroatian (@TheCroatian_) July 17, 2026

“This will be the only concert at the stadium this summer, so we will not face this issue again in the later rounds this year.”

The club's manager, Zeljko Sopic, isn't quite as relaxed about the situation. After his side's first round triumph, he told reporters that his team are having to move ‘because of a concert by some dog', before adding that it was better if he didn't say too much about it.

FGG says: A lack of belief comes back to haunt FK Zauno Kalgiris

When organisers booked the concert at the Darius and Girenas Stadium, the club would have known about this potential clash, or they at least should have done. Clearly, those in charge didn't believe that FK Zauno Kalgiris could reach this stage of qualifying, and that has now come back to bite them.