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Paris gears up for champions league final: no champs-élysées parade planned

Champions League

Champions League: final preparations intensify, no Champs-Élysées parade if PSG wins

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Next Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain will challenge Arsenal in the highly anticipated Champions League final in Budapest. Thousands of Parisian club supporters will gather far from Hungary, either at the dedicated fan zone within the Parc des Princes or in various capital city bars to witness the decisive match. Should PSG emerge victorious, the team will not hold a celebratory parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées the following day.

The evening of May 30th is set to be exceptionally busy across the Paris region. In addition to the UEFA Champions League final, several major concerts are scheduled. This confluence of events, alongside other activities like tennis, is expected to draw between 150,000 and 200,000 people into the capital’s streets. Consequently, the Police Prefecture is preparing to implement an extensive security plan to ensure public safety. This weekend promises to be a demanding period for internal security forces.

Starting Friday evening at 5 PM, vehicular traffic will be prohibited until Sunday morning within a designated area. The security perimeter established by the Paris Police Prefecture spans a significant portion of the 8th arrondissement. Furthermore, a more restricted zone will see parking restrictions enforced along the entire Champs-Élysées and several adjacent avenues, including Avenue Montaigne. These traffic limitations also extend to other parts of the capital, specifically the 16th and 17th arrondissements. However, pedestrian access remains fully permitted throughout these areas.

Around the Parc des Princes, where Paris Saint-Germain is hosting its official fan zone, law enforcement agencies will deploy security measures typical of a major match day. This enclosed and secure fan zone proved to be a significant success during last year’s Champions League final, providing a safe environment for supporters.

Champ de Mars considered for celebrations instead of Champs-Élysées

Just as in previous seasons, authorities are meticulously planning for all potential outcomes during security meetings. In the event of a PSG victory on Saturday evening, officials are coordinating celebration arrangements for Sunday with the Parisian club. It has been confirmed that the traditional parade on the Champs-Élysées will not occur this year, a decision ultimately announced by the 8th arrondissement town hall. Last year, these festivities attracted an estimated 110,000 individuals to the world-renowned avenue.

An alternative location is now emerging as a strong possibility: the Champ de Mars, situated in the capital’s 7th arrondissement. An informed source acknowledged that “this option is on the table,” without providing further details, but indicated it is the priority for all involved parties. The Paris Police Prefecture intends to request traffic and parking prohibitions around the Champ de Mars from Saturday, May 30th, at 10 PM until Sunday, May 31st, at 8 PM, to facilitate “the smooth execution of a festive event.” If this plan solidifies, and should Luis Enrique’s players triumph over Arsenal, they could enjoy a memorable photo opportunity with the iconic Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. This image is crucial for promoting France and Paris Saint-Germain globally, significantly contributing to the international appeal of any post-victory celebrations.

When contacted, Paris Saint-Germain stated that the club is currently “fully focused on preparing the events organized for May 30th, the day of the Final.” The club also clarified that, at present, “no decision has been made and no announcement is planned” regarding any post-match celebrations following Saturday evening’s game in Hungary. They affirmed that, “if applicable, organizational matters will be thoroughly coordinated with the relevant authorities.”