PSG vs Arsenal: fan zones in Île-de-France face tough security hurdles for Champions League final
- Île-de-France
With just days remaining until the PSG vs Arsenal Champions League final on May 30, organizers in Île-de-France are scrambling to secure public viewing spaces amid heightened security concerns.
Public fan zones in Paris itself remain off the table—again—for the big match. The Paris police prefecture has taken a firm stance against them this year, just as it did in 2025. Why? Because three major concerts at venues like the Stade de France, La Défense Arena, and Accor Arena will already stretch police resources thin. Instead, fans can gather at a giant screen installation inside Parc des Princes, where tickets start at just €19. Bars and restaurants across the region are also gearing up to host supporters. But organizing safe, large-scale celebrations throughout Île-de-France has become an unprecedented security puzzle.
Local leaders caught between safety demands and fan expectations
Few fan zones are expected to materialize for this final. In Hauts-de-Seine, none have been declared so far. Prefect Alexandre Brugère has gone so far as to urge mayors not to authorize them, urging a focus on Paris instead. Yet in Seine-Saint-Denis, talks are underway between the prefecture and local leaders. “We want the prefecture to guarantee the security measures needed to make fan zones possible,” said mayor Bally Bagayoko of Saint-Denis during a live broadcast on May 14. He also highlighted “grassroots initiatives pushing for popular, citizen-run fan zones,” which he hopes to support—provided safety can be ensured.
Closed venues win over open spaces for safety
Confirmed fan zones are popping up in Trappes and Carrière-sous-Poissy. Meanwhile, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is preparing to host up to 8,000 fans at an event in the Camp des Loges—home turf of PSG. Choosing a closed venue over public spaces makes security easier in a France still under high terror alert. “Hosting public events in open spaces is nearly impossible,” said mayor Arnaud Péricard. He sees this as more than just a football issue: “The Loges Festival used to allow free access. Now, the perimeter is secured and entry points are controlled.”
Supporters lament the loss of communal celebrations
Cyril Dubois, a lawyer representing the Ultras Paris collective, argues that football should still have a place in the streets. “If we can no longer create these inclusive events without violence, that’s a failure—but the bigger failure is that we’re not even trying to set up fan zones in Paris anymore,” he said. He recalled that even during the semifinal, no fan zone was organized—but that didn’t stop trouble. After the PSG-Bayern win, 127 people were arrested across the Paris region. Last year’s final saw 491 arrests, with two fatalities in Paris and Dax during post-match celebrations.