Paris abandons plans for Champions League fan zone amid security challenges

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has decided against setting up a fan zone for the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal, scheduled for May 30. The announcement comes after consultations with the police prefecture, which raised significant security concerns amid an already strained public order situation.

The decision follows a Monday meeting between Mayor Grégoire and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Earlier, the Paris prefecture had officially opposed the fan zone project, citing safety and security risks. Before the consultation with the minister, Grégoire acknowledged the prefecture’s reservations during a press conference, stating, “This is not the right moment.”

The cancellation reflects the broader challenges of managing public gatherings in Paris on May 30, a date coinciding with multiple high-profile events. These include concerts by Aya Nakamura at Stade de France, Damso at La Défense Arena, and Bouss at Accor Arena, all of which will require substantial police resources.

Instead of a public fan zone, the match will be broadcast on a giant screen at Parc des Princes, though this too demands significant police deployment. Despite the setback, Mayor Grégoire reaffirmed his commitment to hosting future free, public events in the capital, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and community engagement.

Security aftermath: 127 arrests after PSG’s Champions League semifinal victory

Security concerns were further underscored by the events following PSG’s semifinal win over Bayern Munich. In the Paris metropolitan area alone, authorities reported 127 arrests, 11 injuries (one severe), and 23 lightly injured police officers. Last year’s Champions League celebrations in Paris and surrounding regions saw over 500 arrests, with incidents marring the festivities.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had previously raised concerns about Mayor Grégoire’s unilateral announcement of the fan zone following PSG’s qualification on May 6. Opposition voices, including Eric Schahl from the Council of Paris, criticized Grégoire for failing to engage with district mayors before announcing the project, describing the U-turn as a sign of poor coordination.