Portugal Emerging As Main Contender To Host Champions League Final

Fan in crowd at football match As UEFA did not gain guarantees of the coronavirus exemptions it wanted in order to move the Champions League final to Wembley Stadium, it appears that Portugal is emerging as the main contender to host the game later this month.

UEFA, UK government officials and the Football Association met on Monday to discuss moving the game between Chelsea and Manchester City from Istanbul.

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UEFA has decided the game will be moved as Turkey has now been put on England's ‘red travel list’, in effect would denying fans ability to attend the game.

Portugal, which is on UK’s green list, would be a suitable location allowing the English fans to attend on 29 May.

Travellers from England to green‑list countries will be required to take Covid tests before and after travel but do not have to quarantine on their return.

Whilst it is still possible that the match could be played at Wembley, it would require a major shift from the government, who have so far failed to reach an agreement with UEFA.

UEFA appears more confident that Portugal would give the necessary access for sponsors and broadcasters, who would need to be compensated if they were unable to attend the game.

It also seems Porto has been mentioned as a potential venue whilst Lisbon, which hosted last year’s final, is also in contention.