UEFA has confirmed that the Europa League final will remain scheduled for the San Mames stadium, despite growing calls to switch the venue due to the possibility of an all-English final. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in strong positions to qualify for the final, with United having secured a dominant 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, while Spurs hold a 3-1 advantage over Bodo/Glimt.
Athletic Bilbao had dreamt of winning the Europa League on their home turf, but Ruben Amorim’s revitalized Manchester United may have dashed those hopes with their resounding victory. Despite this, UEFA has decided that the 51,000-capacity San Mames will host the final, regardless of which teams reach the showpiece event.
While the final will take place on May 21, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00, fans of the potential English finalists have raised concerns about accessibility, given the stadium’s location in Bilbao. Nevertheless, UEFA has no plans to move the venue.
For those hoping to attend, 41,000 tickets will be available for purchase directly through UEFA, with prices ranging from €40 for fan-specific tickets to €240 for Category 1 seats. Each successful applicant can buy up to four tickets in their selected price category.
In addition to ticket costs, fans will also face rising prices for flights and accommodation. Flights from London to Bilbao, which were once available for £75, now exceed £400, and a one-night stay at a nearby hotel, like the Hotel Ilunion Bilbao, is priced at £2,444 for a basic room.