Thousands of fans flock to Dublin for Europa League final

Around 48,000 football fans are descending on Dublin to watch the Europa League final, which is taking place in the Aviva Stadium.

Around 1,800 gardaí are being deployed across the city to police the event, which is the second biggest European club football event after the Champions League and is watched by millions worldwide.

Many roads will be closed around the stadium to accommodate the movement of fans of the German side Bayer Leverkusen and Italy’s Atalanta while there will also be changes to the operation of some public transport in the area for much of the afternoon and evening.

Gardaí have warned that heavy traffic is likely in the vicinity of the stadium throughout today and that those travelling in the capital should expect delays due to rolling road closures.

They are advising people to plan their journeys around the event.

Dublin City Council has said that established practices for matches at the Aviva stadium will differ for this event which could run until 11pm because of the potential for extra time and penalties.

A traffic cordon will be established from 3pm at a number of roads around the area, with access only granted to residents who have proof of their ID or address.

However, gardaí warned that all traffic may have to be excluded from these areas if there is a high number of pedestrians using the roads while entering and exiting the stadium.

Those roads are:

Lansdowne Road – both sides from Northumberland Road to Herbert Road

Shelbourne Road – both sides from Ballsbridge to Bath Avenue

Bath Avenue – both sides from Londonbridge Road to Shelbourne Road

Newbridge Avenue l Herbert Road l Lansdowne Lane from Northumberland Road to Shelbourne Road

Lansdowne Park

Parking will also be prohibited from 7am in the following locations:

Lansdowne Road – both sides from Northumberland Road to Herbert Bridge

Shelbourne Road – both sides Shelbourne Avenue to the Podium Entrance.

Havelock Square – right hand side from bath Ave to Gate 5

Herbert Road – both sides from Herbert Bridge to Tritonville Road

Lansdowne Lane – both sides

Northumberland Road – Both sides from Haddington Road to Lansdowne Road

South Lotts Road

Gardaí say they are not expecting any trouble surrounding the Europa League final, but they are prepared for all eventualities.

Chief Superintendent Tony O’Donnell from the Dublin South Central Division said: “We’re not expecting any trouble tonight.”

He said gardaí “have close engagement with the foreign police forces who have come with the teams and our Europol network of other clubs and supporter groups, so we don’t expect any trouble.”

However, Mr O’Donnell said plans have been put in place in case there is a requirement.

He said gardaí will have “a high visibility presence” in the city centre, and in and around the stadium.

He said there are “travelling stewards and supporter liaison officers coming with the fans.”

Mr O’Donnell said it is one of the largest policing operations ever put in place here and “one of the largest deployments of garda personnel across the state and the largest public order deployment.”

A total of 600 of the gardaí on duty are on public order deployment and there will be other specialist units including the Mounted Support Unit, the Dog Unit and Air Support Unit, while two water cannons are also on standby.

DART services will run as scheduled, but Lansdowne Road Dart Station will be closed from 4pm for security reasons.

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Passengers will have to disembark at either Grand Canal Dock or Sandymount stations and a shuttle bus for people with a mobility impairment will operate between Sandymount Dart Station and the Sandymount Hotel.

Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium has been designated as a Fan Meeting Point (FMP) for Bayer Leverkusen and RDS Simmonscourt has been designated for Atalanta travelling supporters.

Both sets of fans are expected to congregate in these locations before marching to the stadium in a large group at around 5.30pm.

In addition to providing entertainment for the supporters, the FMPs will have food, drink and toilet facilities and will act as a base for the large amount of fans expected to arrive on specially chartered flights to Dublin.

A fan festival is also being held at Dublin Castle from 10am to 5pm where the Europa League trophy is on display.

A number of events and entertainment will also take place at Dublin Castle for both travelling supporters and those living in the capital at this free non ticketed event.

A three-metre high replica of the Europa League trophy is also in place on North Earl Street, close to the junction with O’Connell Street and beside the portal.

This is Dublin’s second time to host the Europa League final.

The last occasion was in 2011 when two Portuguese teams played in that final.

Planning for the final began 20 months ago, with other stakeholders such as Dublin City Council, the National Transport Authority, the FAI and UEFA involved.

The bill for policing the event will be paid by the State.

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Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne said the event would help Dublin prepare for co-hosting EURO 2028 with the UK.

“It is wonderful to see our capital city showcased this year, with our hosting of the UEFA Europa League Final.

“In order for Ireland to both attract and ensure the success of major international sporting events, significant work and preparation over many years is undertaken.”

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin said hosting such a high profile sporting event would be a great benefit to Ireland.

“With Bayer Leverkusen as yet unbeaten in a historic season, and Atalanta competing at the top of Serie A, it looks set to be an enthralling spectacle for all fans of football.”

Dublin Airport said around 20,000 German and Italian football fans in addition to 10,000 fans from more than 20 other countries around the world are flying into the Irish capital for the event.

They said they have dedicated staff to help fans on their arrivals and free transport is being provided for them into Dublin city centre.

More than 48,000 people are expected to attend the final in the Aviva Stadium which UEFA is calling the Dublin Arena for the event.

Gates open at 5pm and kick off is at 8pm.

Additional reporting by Fergal O’Brien.