Fans of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United contend with inflated pricing in the Europa League final
Attending the Europa League Final: A Costly Venture for Tottenham and United Fans
Prepare to dig deep in your pockets, fellow Spurs and United enthusiasts, as the Europa League final later this month promises a significant dent in your bank accounts.
With direct return flights from London or Manchester to Bilbao now exceeding £1k, a stadium seat for the highly-anticipated all-English showdown on secondary sites starts at a jaw-dropping £900, going up to an eye-watering £29,000 for VIP seats. And guess what? The only hotel rooms left in the Basque city cost a whopping £500 for a night's stay, with some charging north of £4,000!
Smart supporters who snagged their travel, match tickets, and accommodations in advance have smartly saved a small fortune. But for those in a last-minute scramble, options to see the game in a wallet-friendly way remotely are limited.
Navigating Travel Issues
If the sky-high flight prices make your wallet shudder, consider alternative transportation options. A ferry might provide slight cost relief, albeit at the expense of a 33-hour voyage from Portsmouth to Santander, followed by a bus journey to Bilbao.
A more economical choice could be a coach trip from London Victoria to Bilbao via Paris at around £100-£150 each way, but a departure on 19 May is required to make it on time for the match.
Now, flying to nearby Santander or San Sebastian is another option, but getting to Bilbao could leave you short of time to make it for kick-off.
Ticketing Conundrums
The über-priced tickets on secondary sites are leftovers from European governing body Uefa's ticket allocation to all fans. To secure your seat, check with both Tottenham and United, as they'll receive an allocation of tickets for their supporters at face value — but these are limited and reserved for the most loyal fans.
Deep-pocketed fans can opt for various hospitality packages, mainly sold out, but third parties are offering them for £2,000 and up.
Finding Affordable Accommodations
If tossing £500 a night for a hotel room in Bilbao seems like a mortgage payment, look further afield. Stays on Airbnb between the city and San Sebastian are a fraction of the price, but commuting to more remote accommodations after the match may present its own challenges.
Plan ahead, book early, and consider traveling a day or two early to secure better deals on travel and accommodations. Group bookings might also help reduce costs. And remember, flexibility champions success when it comes to attending the Europa League final!
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Travel Options
- Coach Trips: Consider taking a coach from London Victoria to Bilbao via Paris. This option is significantly cheaper, with prices ranging from £100 to £150 each way, but it requires a departure on 19 May to ensure arrival in time for the match.[5]
- Ferry and Bus: Another option is to take a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander, followed by a bus to Bilbao. This option is cheaper but requires leaving two days early due to the 33-hour voyage.[5]
- Flights to Nearby Cities: Flying into nearby cities like Santander or San Sebastian could be more affordable. However, fans would need to arrange further travel to Bilbao, which could be time-consuming.[5]
Securing Tickets
- Official Ticket Sales: Fans should check the official UEFA or club websites for any remaining ticket availability. These sources often provide the most legitimate and sometimes cheaper options compared to secondary markets.[5]
- Secondary Market Options: If tickets are not available through official channels, fans can explore secondary ticketing sites, though prices may be high, starting at over £900 for regular tickets.[5]
Accommodation
- Book Early: Although it may be too late for the current final, booking accommodations well in advance can significantly reduce costs. Fans who did this have saved hundreds of pounds.[5]
- Alternative Accommodations: Consider staying in nearby cities or towns and commuting to Bilbao for the match. This can be more affordable than staying in Bilbao itself.[5]
- Group Booking: Booking accommodations in groups might also help split costs among fans, making it more manageable.[5]
Additional Tips
- Plan Ahead: Early planning is crucial to secure better deals on travel and accommodation.[5]
- Use Travel Apps: Utilize travel apps to compare prices and find the best deals.[5]
- Flexible Travel Dates: Consider traveling a day or two earlier to ensure you have time to settle in before the match.[5]
- To lessen the financial blow, consider alternative transportation methods like coach trips from London Victoria to Bilbao via Paris, with prices around £100-£150 each way, or a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander followed by a bus journey to Bilbao, though this option requires leaving two days earlier due to the 33-hour voyage.
- For stadium seats at the Europa League final, check official club websites like Tottenham and United, as they'll receive an allocation of tickets for their supporters at face value, but be aware that these are limited and reserved for the most loyal fans.
- If the price of hotel rooms in Bilbao seems unmanageable, investigate cheaper alternatives on services like Airbnb between the city and San Sebastian, although commuting to more remote accommodations might pose its own challenges.
- For a cost-effective viewing experience, explore watching the game remotely, as this could save a significant sum for last-minute attendees who may be limited in options due to the high prices on secondary sites.
