Travel advice: Atletico de Madrid CF vs Liverpool FC

As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Spain

Date: Tuesday 18 February 2020

Venue: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid

Kick off time: 9pm (local time)

Passports and visas

• British nationals don’t need a visa to travel to Spain. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. Remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but also take out travel insurance, even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties
• you must provide ID (your passport) if requested by a police officer. The police have the right to hold you at a police station until your identity is confirmed
• always take care of your passport, as obtaining a replacement is costly and time-consuming. Remember to keep a photocopy or scanned copy of your passport somewhere safe
• if you lose your passport, you’ll need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document online.

Getting to the stadium

Stadium address:

The recommended route for away supporters to reach the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium is to use the metro The Spanish National Police advise that Liverpool fans use line 5 (green line) which has stops in the centre of Madrid (Gran Via, Callao, Opera) and get off at Canillejas.

The police have designated a “Meeting Point” for away fans at a square next to Canillejas metro station called Plaza del Céfiro which is an area with bars and restaurants 25 minutes walk from the stadium.

Police recommend that away supporters arrive early to this square (2-3 hours before the game) and police will escort fans to the stadium before kickoff. It is strongly recommended that you arrive early to the stadium as entry will be slow due to the exhaustive security checks that will be carried out.

At the match

• Liverpool fans with general tickets will access the Wanda Metropolitano through gate 23, located in the north end of the stadium (FONDO NORTE)
• the sectors for the away supporters are located in the upper stand
• access to the stadium can be slow. There will be ticket checks at various checkpoints before getting to the stadium including body searches and after getting through the turnstiles. To avoid a last minute bottleneck you should get to the stadium early – doors will be open for visiting supporters 1 hour and a half to 2 hours before kick-off
• police and stewards may ask to see the ID of ticket holders to prevent ticket fraud, so you should carry photo ID with you. Keep tickets to the match securely in your possession. It has been known for thieves to target ticket holders to steal and then sell on the black market. If tickets are lost or stolen, they will not be re-printed and you will not gain access to the stadium
• you should follow Spanish police instructions and avoid physical contact of any type (including requests to take photos etc)
• anyone who is obviously drunk or bearing racist insignia will not be allowed into the stadium. Also, any banners bearing political slogans will not be permitted inside the stadium
• flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, bottle tops or containers over 1/2 litre are not allowed in the stadium
• soft drinks and food are available inside the stadium
• visiting supporters may be kept behind for around 20-30 minutes after the match to allow the home fans to disperse

Tips

• as in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport such as the metro. Only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits
• petty criminals often operate in areas where there are large crowds, so be vigilant and keep your valuables secured
• in Madrid, drinking alcohol in the street and on the metro is illegal and you can be fined or arrested for doing so. Letting off flares around the city (including the meeting point) is illegal. The Spanish police have the right to intervene and confiscate flares and can deny access to the match if any of these laws are violated. For your own safety and that of others, follow instructions from the police at all times
• police officers have the right to stop people from taking photos or filming if they consider that their personal security or that of a police operation or secured area could be compromised as a result. Doing so can be met with severe penalties

Telephone +34 91 714 6300 (also for out of hours emergencies) Email: consulate@fco.gov.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1.30pm.

For more information please visit the British Consulate-General Madrid website

Emergency services numbers

The local emergency services contact number is 112.

Further information