UEFA make major decision on Europa League final venue amid Tottenham development
UEFA have made a major decision on the Europa League final after Tottenham beat Bodø/Glimt 3-1.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have one foot in the final after victory in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday (1 May). However, they still have plenty of work to do in the second leg in Norway.
The Europa League is Spurs’ final chance of salvaging European qualification from this season, but winning it will be a tall order.
Manchester United won the other semi-final 3-0 against Athletic Club at Estadio de San Mamés. Therefore, the Red Devils look set to reach the final, which could lead to an all-English affair.
Europa League final will not be moved from Bilbao
As reported by The Telegraph (2 May), UEFA have confirmed that the Europa League final will not be moved from its original destination, Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, to an English destination if Manchester United and Tottenham both reach the final.
The Estadio de San Mamés holds 53,289 seats, with the two teams that reach the final set to receive up to 15,000 tickets each for their supporters.
| Opponent | Result |
| Wolves (A) | 4-2 L |
| Frankfurt (A) | 0-1 W |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | 1-2 L |
| Liverpool (A) | 5-1 L |
| Bodo/Glimt (H) | 3-1 W |
Should Athletic Club perform a miraculous turnaround against United, they will compete in the final in their home stadium, but the allocation will remain the same.
Bilbao was handed the opportunity to host this final way back in 2021, and there is “no chance” that this is now moved because two teams from the same league have reached it.
Tottenham could compete in another all-English final
Tottenham could reach their first European final since 2019, when Mauricio Pochettino’s side miraculously reached the Champions League final.
They eventually lost to Liverpool in Atletico Madrid’s stadium, and they will hope that facing Manchester United at Athletic Club’s ground will have a different outcome, should the Lilywhites qualify for the final on Wednesday, 21 May.
Both sets of fans would have to fork out for flights and accommodation in Bilbao. However, finals are not moved when two teams from the same league reach it.
Chelsea beat Arsenal in the 2019 final in Baku, Azerbaijan, and also won the 2021 UEFA Champions League against Manchester City in Porto.