Budapest har tidligere været vært for mange globale sportsbegivenheder, blandt andet IAAF World Cross Country Championships i 1994, 1997 World Amateur Boxing Championships, 2000 World Fencing Championships, 2001 World Allround Speed Skating Championships, Bandy World Championship 2004, 2008 World Interuniversity Games, 2008 World Modern Pentathlon Championships, 2010 ITU World Championship Series, 2011 IIHF World Championship, 2012 European Speed Skating Championships, 2013 World Fencing Championships, 2013 World Wrestling Championships, 2014 World Masters Athletics Championships, 2017 World Aquatics Championships og 2017 World Judo Championships, kun i de sidste to årtier. Udover disse var Budapest hjemsted for mange turneringer på europæisk niveau, som for eksempel Europæisk Vandsportmesterskab i 2006.
, 2010 European Aquatics Championships, 2010 UEFA Futsal Championship, 2013 European Judo Championships, 2013 European Karate Championships og vil være vært for 2023 World Championships i atletik og 4 kampe i UEFA Euro 2020, som vil blive afholdt i den 67.215-sædet nye multi-purpose Puskás Ferenc Stadium, for at nævne nogle få.