As Manchester United gears up for their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club, the excitement surrounding the potential for a ticket frenzy is palpable among their Irish fanbase. Should United secure their place in the final, the demand for tickets is expected to skyrocket, especially with the final set for May 21, 2025, at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.
The Europa League final promises to be a thrilling encounter, kicking off at 9 PM local time (8 PM Irish time). This venue is not only significant for its rich football history but also notably hosted Leinster's last Champions Cup victory in 2018.
However, for fans hoping to attend, the ticket situation is already quite challenging. The final ballot for neutral fans closed in April, and all successful applicants have been notified. As a result, those looking for tickets may need to turn to resale sites, where prices have already inflated to over €1,000 per ticket. This comes with the usual risks of counterfeit tickets and potential issues with UEFA's regulations against second-hand sales.
Manchester United is actively planning how to allocate tickets should they advance to the final. In an email sent to supporters, the club stated, "Following our first UEFA Europa League semi-final leg last night, we look forward to what we hope will be another thrilling return leg at Old Trafford next week. If we win the tie and qualify for the UEFA Europa League final, there will be a very short window of just 13 days until the game and fewer than five until UEFA's deadline for tickets to be processed."
Ticket prices for the final will range from €40 to €240, but only a limited number of tickets will be available. Each of the two clubs reaching the final will receive just 14,770 tickets out of the stadium's total capacity of 53,331. Given the high demand, it's expected that the allocation process will be highly competitive.
For those traveling from Ireland, options for getting to Bilbao are limited and can be costly. The only direct route available is a ferry from Rosslare, Wexford, which departs at midnight on May 16, arriving in Bilbao early morning on May 18. The return ferry costs approximately €302 for an adult on foot. Meanwhile, flights to nearby Santander are currently priced at over €600, making travel arrangements quite a financial undertaking.
If fans are unable to make the trip, they can still catch the action on TNT Sports and Premier Sports, who will be broadcasting the final live in Ireland.
As for last year's Europa League final, it was a historic match held in Dublin's national stadium, where Atalanta triumphed over Bayer Leverkusen with a stunning 3-0 victory. This year, the stakes are equally high as Manchester United looks to reclaim European glory.
Meanwhile, the stage is also set for the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, where Inter Milan will face Paris Saint-Germain on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Inter reached the final in dramatic fashion, edging out FC Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate, while PSG comfortably overcame Arsenal with a 3-1 aggregate score.
The Champions League final will see a total of 38,700 tickets available for fans, with both teams receiving 18,000 tickets each. The general public ballot for tickets closed on April 11, and prices range from €90 for category 4 tickets to €950 for the most premium seats.
However, fans are warned against purchasing resale tickets from third-party websites, as UEFA has stated that these tickets will be invalid. The organization has emphasized that tickets bought from unauthorized sources will not grant entry to the final, urging fans to be cautious in their pursuit of tickets.
For those still hoping to attend, the costs extend beyond just the ticket price. Fans must also consider travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs associated with the trip to Munich. With prices for flights and hotels surging around the event, attending the final could become a costly affair.
In addition to the Champions League final, the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League season will conclude at Stadion Wrocław in Poland on May 28, 2025. The identity of the finalists will be confirmed after the semi-finals conclude on May 8. This stadium, which has a capacity of over 40,000, has hosted numerous significant matches and is set to be a fitting venue for the final.
As the footballing world eagerly anticipates these prestigious finals, fans are left to navigate the complexities of ticket procurement and travel arrangements, all while hoping their teams can deliver thrilling performances on the grand stage.
With the excitement building for the Europa League and Champions League finals, both Manchester United and Inter Milan will be looking to etch their names into history, while fans prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable month of football.
