Arsenal supporters have poured into Budapest ahead of tonight’s Champions League final against Paris St Germain, where Hungarian authorities are preparing for potential trouble with 4,000 police officers on duty across the Puskas Arena and city streets. Offici
The atmosphere in Budapest had been building long before the first ball was even warmed up for tonight’s Champions League final at the Puskas Arena.
Arsenal fans had already taken over parts of the city on Saturday morning. spilling into the streets after a night of celebrating that ran well into Friday. By the time the match gets underway at 5pm UK time. authorities expect a further surge of supporters — and with it. the kind of pressure that turns a football night into a public-order test.
Hungarian policing plans have been drawn up for exactly that. Some 4. 000 officers are set to operate tonight. both inside the Puskas Arena and across Budapest’s streets. aiming to keep visitors safe and to prevent clashes between rival groups. The fear is that the final could draw far beyond ticket holders: it is believed up to 10. 000 fans may arrive in Hungary without tickets. hoping to be close to what could be a historic night for the Gunners.
City officials have been bracing for crowds to balloon. It is thought there will be as many as 45,000 extra football fans in Budapest by kick-off, a scale that would mean the largest mobilisation of police in Hungary’s history.
At a press conference this week, Major General Dr. János Zoltán Kuczik, commander of operations for the final, made the warning blunt. “We will take decisive action if we encounter any behaviour that disrupts public order.” He also said: “It’s no secret that having fans from London and Paris in Budapest at the same time poses a significant risk. but it is our job to minimize that risk.”.
Behind the scenes, the security operation has been building for more than a year. Authorities began preparations over a year ago and took advice from those in London and Paris. Officials also visited last year’s final in Munich to observe operations. The first time Hungary has hosted the fixture has come with a heavyweight response — not only in security. but in logistics — with extra public transport and fan buses laid on to move supporters for both teams.
Back home in the UK, supporters are preparing for their own version of matchday overflow. Bars and fan zones across London are expected to be packed later as fans look for a repeat of Arsenal’s recent Premier League success.
For Arsenal, the football stakes are equally sharp. They have appeared in the final just once before — in 2006. when they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona — and tonight marks their first Champions League final appearance in 20 years. The club’s return to that stage comes after a Premier League top-spot finish. and the mood around the team is unmistakably hungry.
Speaking at a press conference this week. manager Mikel Arteta said: “the ambition is bigger now. ” after securing top spot in England’s top football league. “We have won and now we want the second one. We have to aim for bigger destinations.” He added: “I want the players to be so confident. The players want more. Going through those moments brings you a different kind of desire.”.
As for those living it in the streets, thousands have already been in Budapest for the experience — drinking, dancing and singing as they tried to turn the build-up into a celebration of what they expect will come after the whistle.
Many faced long, complicated journeys to make it happen, catching flights, trains and buses and taking indirect routes to ensure they arrived on time. And whatever the result, there is a shared expectation that this final could be decided by fine margins.
Brazilian legend Cafu. speaking to the Daily Mail. said it is “too close to call.” He suggested both sides have equal quality. “I don’t know, it’s really hard to know who will win. I can’t say today if it’s Paris or Arsenal,” Cafu said. “Both teams have the same 11 [in quality] so it’s really hard to know who will win.”.
Cafu also pointed to what he sees as Arsenal’s specific edge. “They’re a team who knows how to play from set-pieces. They’ve had a fantastic competition, didn’t concede too many goals. That’s why I’m sure it’s going to be a really big final.”
So tonight’s contest at the Puskas Arena carries two kinds of tension at once — a football final poised for close drama, and a city braced for the realities of mass travel, rival groups, and the crowds that always gather when the biggest stage is finally within reach.
Arsenal Paris St Germain PSG Champions League final Budapest Puskas Arena police mobilisation Major General Dr. János Zoltán Kuczik Mikel Arteta Cafu security preparations