As jubilant crowds erupted following Paris Saint-Germain’s triumph in the Champions League final against Arsenal on penalties, celebrations quickly spiraled into chaos. Violent clashes and widespread property damage erupted across multiple French cities late Saturday night.

The Parc des Princes stadium, packed with over 48,000 elated supporters, became the epicenter of the revelry. Fireworks lit up the pitch as chants of “Champions d’Europe,” “Ici c’est Paris,” and “Luis Enrique” echoed through the air. Yet beneath the joy lurked tension, with 22,000 police and gendarmerie officers deployed nationwide—8,000 of them in the Paris metropolitan area alone.

Joy turns to tragedy

Despite the massive security operation, the night ended with grim consequences. 219 people were injured, including eight in critical condition. Among the casualties were 57 law enforcement officers, one of whom suffered severe injuries in Agen.

Tragedy struck around 1:10 AM near Porte Maillot. A motorcyclist reportedly plowed into a barricade of one-meter-high concrete blocks placed on the exit ramp of the outer ring road. The barrier had been clearly marked. The 24-year-old victim, pronounced dead at 2:20 AM, was identified by authorities. An investigation into the circumstances of his death has been launched.

In the early hours of Sunday, a brutal knife attack was reported in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. Four assailants fled the scene after stabbing a 17-year-old man in the eye and mouth. The victim, found bleeding profusely, was rushed to a Parisian hospital in critical condition and placed into a coma. His prognosis remains uncertain.

By dawn, authorities had 780 individuals in custody, representing a 32% surge compared to the same night in 2025, when PSG last claimed the Champions League title. Major disturbances were reported not only in Paris but also in Grenoble, Dijon, and Besançon, where shops were vandalized and fires set.

Security tightens as city braces for more gatherings

Near the Parc des Princes, 150 people attempted to force entry before being repelled by police. With nearly 100,000 fans expected to gather on the Champ-de-Mars on Sunday afternoon to honor the team, authorities are on high alert. The players and staff are scheduled to visit the Élysée Palace and return to Parc des Princes in the evening.