Bilbao, Spain – As the Europa League semi-finals heat up, Manchester United and Tottenham fans dey prepare to travel as dem dey eye the final wey go happen for San Mames Stadium on May 21. Both teams don perform well in di first legs of di semi-finals, as Manchester United defeat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 while Tottenham collect 3-1 victory over Bodo/Glimt.
Fans gatz plan dia journey early as dem dey hopeful to secure tickets for di final. Each finalist club go get 15,000 tickets under UEFA’s ‘fans first’ initiative, with prices starting from €40 (£34) for di cheapest tickets. Di general public tickets dey range from €65 to €240 (£55-£204), while hospitality packages dey reach €1,290 to €1,490 (£1,096 to £1,266).
However, finding affordable travel options don turn to war for many fans. Direct return flights from Manchester on di match day go cost plenty, over £1,500 for one ticket. If you wan fly a day earlier, di price go shoot past £1,700. Fans fit also consider bus options for di journey, but dat go take almost 32 hours for tickets wey dey cost over £200 return.
Simon Calder, travel expert wey don visit Bilbao many times, suggest say fans fit look for other routes. “You fit reach Biarritz in France first, and from there, you can take train into di Basque region towards Bilbao,” he talk. Fans wey choose di train option fit spend about £200 one way for di journey from London to Bilbao.
For fans wey wan avoid stress, ferry option dey available too. Brittany Ferries dey offer sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, but expect two long nights on di sea for about £201. No cabins dey available, so e fit be a long ride.
Once you reach Bilbao, di San Mames Stadium dey easy to reach by public transport or on foot, just a 20-minute waka or 9-18 minutes train ride from di city center. Fans gatz prepare for hotel costs as prices for di city center dey range from £850 to over £13,000!
Di football community dey excited as di date for di grand final dey approach and fans across England dey look forward to support dem teams. Na who go lift di trophy dis time? One things for sure, whoever emerge winner go secure a spot for di Champions League next season, making des stakes high.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
