Travel Advice for fans travelling to Madrid for the UEFA Champions League Final

News

Date:                           Saturday 1 June 2019

Venue:                        Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid

Kick off time:             9pm (local time)

On 1 June 2019, the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid will host the UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Madrid is a great city, and if you don’t believe us then see what the Lonely Planet has to say as it reckons that Madrid is the number 2 essential European destination to visit this year (though plenty of the Irish who live in Madrid reckon that it’s number 1).

Madrid is a generally safe city with very good public services but, as in any city and particular at a time of major events, we urge visitors to take sensible precautions.  Here are some useful tips (and please also visit our travel advice page on Spain).

Emergency Consular Assistance

If you experience a consular emergency, please contact the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid +34 914364093.  Calls outside of normal office hours regarding genuine emergencies will be directed to a voice messaging service, which is monitored by a Duty Officer.  Information regarding the consular assistance we can offer, including what to do if your passport has been lost or stolen, are available on our website.

Lost/Stolen Passport

If your Irish passport is lost/stolen, you should first contact your airline or tour operator and check whether they will accept a police report or any other ID you may have in order to facilitate your return journey.

If required, the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid can issue you with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). Please bring -

• police report

• 2 passport size photos

• a copy of your return travel itinerary

• a fee of €30 in cash

• any other additional ID you may have

• in the case of minors, consent of both parents will have to be obtained before an ETC can be issued. 

Before travel to Madrid

• Get comprehensive travel and medical INSURANCE before travelling and check what it covers.

• Travel with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which can be applied for through the HSE.

• Ensure that your PASSPORT is valid for the duration of your intended stay

• Fill in the emergency contact details option on your passport.

When in Madrid

• Keep your passport in a safe place: carry your passport card on you or a photocopy of your passport.. You must provide ID (your passport) if requested by a police officer.

• Keep your VALUABLES in a safe place, including match tickets. Lost or stolen tickets will not be reissued and you will not be granted access to the stadium.

• Keep one of your bank cards and some cash separate from the rest of your valuables and avoid carrying too many valuables with you.

• As in any other city beware of pick pockets in crowds, restaurants, cafés, on public transport, near ATMs and never leave your bag or belongings out of sight or unattended. 

• Let people know where you are and make sure you know where your friends are.

• Summer temperatures in Madrid are very high, which leaves you at risk of suffering from sunstroke and heatstroke. Remember to use a high factor sunscreen and drink at least 2 litres of water a day, and take breaks from being in the SUN.

• Alcohol can dehydrate. Be mindful of alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol on the street and on the metro is illegal and can result in fines or arrests.

• The Emergency Services in Madrid can be contacted by phoning 112 (service available in English).

On match day

• Travel well in advance to the stadium. Be aware that there will be extensive security checks when entering the stadium, including body searches. It is recommended that supporters use public transport, such as the Metro Madrid, to travel to the stadium.

• Be mindful of the items which you are prohibited to enter the stadium with, such as flares, alcohol, cans, glass, bottle tops or containers over 0.5 litre. Food and drink are available to purchase inside the stadium.

• Remain calm in crowds, respect the crowd restrictions at some locations and follow the instructions of the local authorities and the event organisers.

• The UEFA has practical information for fans traveling to Madrid, including information on the events and activities taking place in the city over the weekend. 

• Spanish Police in collaboration with the clubs will be launching a service called FIT (Fan Information Team) the day before the match on Twitter (@FITPolicia). This will be an information channel in English providing fans with real time news about the event, general information, security messages, etc. Please note that this will not be an emergency channel. See below for contact details for the emergency services

Follow us at: @IrlEmbMadrid for further updates.

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