The Champions League final will take place in Porto's Estadio do Dragao, UEFA confirmed Thursday, following lengthy talks between European football's governing body, the English Football Association, Portuguese and Turkish authorities over the match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
The 2021 Champions League final had initially been scheduled for Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium but the UK government's decision to place Turkey on its travel red list due to rising COVID-19 cases in the country forced UEFA to move the venue. Talks with the UK government over quarantine waivers prompted an impasse that meant London's Wembley Stadium was unable to host the game.
Portugal offers the twin benefits of allowing supporters back in person and being on the UK's green list, meaning Chelsea and Manchester City fans will be able to attend if they can secure tickets. The Dragao seats 50,035 attendees -- though it is not expected to be at full capacity -- and UEFA has confirmed allocations of 6,000 tickets for each of the two finalists.
The 2021 Champions League final had initially been scheduled for Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium but the UK government's decision to place Turkey on its travel red list due to rising COVID-19 cases in the country forced UEFA to move the venue. Talks with the UK government over quarantine waivers prompted an impasse that meant London's Wembley Stadium was unable to host the game.
Portugal offers the twin benefits of allowing supporters back in person and being on the UK's green list, meaning Chelsea and Manchester City fans will be able to attend if they can secure tickets. The Dragao seats 50,035 attendees -- though it is not expected to be at full capacity -- and UEFA has confirmed allocations of 6,000 tickets for each of the two finalists.