Where will fans gather in Île-de-France to watch the PSG-Arsenal match? The highly anticipated Champions League final on May 30 will not feature public fan zones in Paris, a decision consistent with last year’s approach. The prefecture of police has expressed reservations, primarily due to the significant deployment of security forces required for three major concerts scheduled simultaneously at the Stade de France, La Défense Arena, and Accor Arena. Instead, a large-screen broadcast of the match is planned within the Parc des Princes, with tickets available from 19 euros. Local bars and restaurants are also preparing for an influx of supporters. Across the entire Île-de-France region, organizing these match-day celebrations presents a considerable security challenge.

Dialogue with prefectures underway for security measures

Fan zones for this year’s final will be scarce. Currently, none have been announced in Hauts-de-Seine, where Prefect Alexandre Brugère has advised mayors against organizing them, emphasizing the need for police forces to concentrate on Paris. In Seine-Saint-Denis, discussions are ongoing between the prefect and local mayors. Bally Bagayoko, Mayor of Saint-Denis, stated on May 14 via social media that “We also want the prefecture to guarantee us a certain number of measures that will allow us to secure the fan zones.” He also highlighted “the desire of community associations to propose popular, citizen fan zones,” which the elected official wishes to support, provided security can be ensured.

Elsewhere in the region, fan zones are planned for Trappes and Carrières-sous-Poissy. A controlled event with a capacity of 8,000 people is scheduled at the Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the historic home of PSG. This enclosed venue offers a more manageable security environment than public spaces, especially given France’s ongoing Vigipirate terror alert status. Organizing public events on open streets is “almost impossible,” observed Arnaud Péricard, Mayor of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He believes this security concern extends beyond football, noting: “The Fête des Loges in Saint-Germain, for example, now has a cordoned-off perimeter and controlled access, whereas before it was a free-access event.”

“This is a failure”

For Master Cyril Dubois, a lawyer representing the Ultras Paris supporters collective, football celebrations should also be permitted in public spaces. “That we can no longer create these popular events that bring people together without disruption, yes, that’s a failure. But more importantly, we aren’t even trying to create fan zones in Paris anymore,” he lamented. The lawyer added that he “observed that for the semi-final, there were no fan zones either, but that didn’t prevent troublemakers from coming.” Following the semi-final victory against Bayern, a total of 127 individuals were arrested in the Parisian agglomeration. After last year’s final, 491 arrests were made, and tragically, two people lost their lives in Paris and Dax during the post-match celebrations.