UEFA has finally confirmed the Estadio do Dragao in Porto will host the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City later this month.
The final hurdle that Portugal needed to jump to host the final for a second year in a row was for the country’s Government to sanction the return of fans to stadiums with thousands of English supporters of both sides now set to descend on the city. Bayern Munich beat Paris St Germain in last year’s final which as held at the Estadio de la Luz in Lisbon.
Like much of the rest of Europe this season, stadiums in Portugal have been closed to supporters amid the coronavirus pandemic but that has been eased to allow 10 per cent capacity for the final round of League games in the country this weekend, the green light UEFA needed to move the final.
UEFA has confirmed 6000 tickets will be made available for both sets of fans at the showpiece match on May 29, which has been moved from the original venue of the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
Turkey was announced last Friday as being on the UK Government’s “red list” for travel, making the tie almost impractical as it would mean players, staff, and also fans hoping to attend, would have to quarantine in an approved hotel for ten days upon their return at a cost of more than £1500 per person.
Portugal was placed on the “green list” for travel by the Government, meaning there are no quarantine restrictions for people returning to the UK from the country.
Wembley had been on the list of potential venues to host the final, the most logical venue considering two English teams are playing in the final, but talks broke down when the Government refused to allow exemptions for guests of UEFA for the game and international broadcasters who would be attending.
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Moved to Porto..CSN..not Lisboa..
Same country. Different cities.