Next Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain will clash with Arsenal in the Champions League final held in Budapest. Thousands of kilometers away from the Hungarian capital, tens of thousands of dedicated Parisian supporters are set to experience the match in the official fan zone at Parc des Princes and various city bars. A significant announcement has been made regarding potential post-victory celebrations: PSG players will not participate in a parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées the following day.
The evening of May 30th is slated to be exceptionally busy across the Parisian region. In addition to the Champions League final, numerous concerts are scheduled, anticipating between 150,000 and 200,000 individuals in the capital’s streets for football, tennis events, and musical performances. This convergence of events necessitates the Préfecture de Police to implement an extensive security apparatus throughout Paris. The weekend is undoubtedly shaping up to be demanding for internal security forces.
Starting Friday evening at 5 PM, traffic will be restricted until Sunday morning within a broad security perimeter established by the Paris Police Prefecture, encompassing much of the 8th arrondissement. Parking prohibitions will be enforced in a more confined zone, covering the entire Champs-Élysées and specific avenues, such as Avenue Montaigne. These circulation restrictions also extend to other parts of the capital, including the 16th and 17th arrondissements. Pedestrian access, however, will remain permitted.
Around the Parc des Princes, where PSG is hosting its official fan zone, law enforcement will deploy a security framework typical of major match days. This enclosed and secure fan zone proved to be a considerable success during last year’s Champions League final festivities.
Champ de Mars emerges as prime celebration venue
Mirroring previous seasons, authorities meticulously plan for all potential outcomes during security briefings. Should PSG emerge victorious on Saturday night, preparations for Sunday’s celebrations are already underway, coordinated closely with the Parisian club. Contrary to past traditions, a parade along the Champs-Élysées will not take place this year, a decision confirmed by the 8th arrondissement’s town hall. Festivities in 2025 drew an estimated 110,000 people to the world-famous avenue, but behind the scenes, the 8th arrondissement municipality had already communicated this change to local businesses.
A new primary option for celebrations is now taking shape: the Champ de Mars, situated in the capital’s 7th arrondissement. A well-informed source confirmed that this alternative is
