Paris, May 11 – There will be no fan zone in Paris for the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal, scheduled for May 30 in Budapest. This decision comes despite initial support from Emmanuel Grégoire, the First Deputy Mayor of Paris, who had expressed keen interest in establishing a large public viewing area for supporters.
Prefecture of Police Cites Security Concerns and Event Overload
The Prefecture of Police ultimately rejected the project, citing significant security concerns and a multitude of other major events scheduled to take place in the capital on the same day. Emmanuel Grégoire confirmed the cancellation on Monday, stating that he had to acknowledge the reservations raised by the police prefecture and the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez.
“I have heard the reservations of the Prefecture of Police, I know that these are also those of the Minister of the Interior. Reason obliges me to hear them,” Grégoire stated during a press briefing.
A Crowded Weekend in Paris
Authorities highlighted the particularly busy weekend in Paris, with several high-profile events occurring concurrently:
- Aya Nakamura concert at the Stade de France
- Damso show at Paris La Défense Arena
- Rapper Bouss concert at Accor Arena
- Roland-Garros tennis tournament, near Parc des Princes
- Stade Français match at Stade Jean-Bouin
The Prefecture of Police emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of all festivities in the Parisian agglomeration. In a statement to AFP, the prefecture indicated that it is working with all organizers to guarantee public safety and prevent potential unrest in a context of very high attendance. Grégoire echoed this sentiment, adding, “For me, what matters most is the safety of Parisians and spectators, I am obliged to agree that the concentration of events makes it difficult to mobilize (security forces) for these events at the same time.”
Past Incidents Influence Current Decision
The cautious approach by authorities is also influenced by the incidents that occurred during previous PSG celebrations in 2025. Following PSG’s victory in the Champions League final that year, several disturbances were reported in the capital and its immediate suburbs. These included clashes, damage to urban furniture, and tensions with law enforcement, particularly around the Champs-Élysées and Parc des Princes. These incidents led to multiple arrests and heightened concerns among authorities about organizing another massive gathering in the capital for the upcoming final against Arsenal. Similar scenes were observed on May 6 after PSG’s victory against Bayern Munich.
Parc des Princes to Host Screening
While a city-wide fan zone is off the table, the Parc des Princes is expected to open its doors to broadcast the match, similar to the club’s previous European final. PSG is anticipated to release details soon regarding ticket reservations for attending the match screening at its stadium.
