‘This is not tourism. This is an invasion’: Bilbao residents slam rowdy British fans ahead of Europa League final

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reached the 2025 UEFA Europa League final. But what should be a moment of joy has turned into frustration for thousands of fans.


The final will be held on May 22 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. The stadium has a capacity of around 53,000, but each club’s fans will receive only 12,000 tickets. Supporters say that it is far too few for clubs of this size, and some local residents of Bilbao are not happy either.


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Videos online show British fans drinking heavily, singing loudly, and urinating in the streets. Local residents and business owners have complained about the rowdy behaviour, saying it is disrespectful and damaging the city’s image.


Spanish social media users have expressed anger, with one post reading: “They drink all day, shout all night, and leave trash everywhere. This is not tourism. This is an invasion.”


Some locals are worried about safety and public order ahead of the match. To prevent further trouble, a heavy police presence is now in place across central Bilbao.


British fans are also angry about the high travel costs and poor connectivity. Direct flights from the UK to Bilbao are limited. As a result, return tickets are now costing over £500, and prices are climbing. Many fans are being forced to fly into other cities like Madrid, Santander, or even France, and then travel by train or bus to Bilbao.

One Manchester United fan said, “This is supposed to be a celebration, but we’re being punished for supporting our team.” A Tottenham fan added, “UEFA has made it nearly impossible for normal fans to attend.”

Hotels in and around Bilbao are also nearly sold out or are charging very high prices. Many fans feel they are being priced out of the final.


This is not the first time UEFA has faced such criticism. In 2019, Arsenal and Chelsea fans faced similar problems travelling to the final in Baku, Azerbaijan. Back then, fans also struggled with long flights, visa issues, and high prices.

UEFA chose Bilbao to host the 2025 final as part of a promise made after the city lost its chance to host Euro 2020 matches due to COVID-19 restrictions. UEFA claims Bilbao is a modern football city with excellent stadium facilities.

However, fans say UEFA should have planned better. With two English clubs in the final, they believe a more accessible location should have been selected.


Despite the off-field frustration, the all-English final promises to be a thrilling match, if fans can make it there.