The stage is set for European competitions this season with the semi-finals set in stone. Two legs is all that separates the 24 times contesting the semi-finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
The Premier League will have four representatives in the European semi-finals. Arsenal in the Champions League, Man Utd and Tottenham in the Europa League and Chelsea in the Conference League.
The teams will be hoping to book their tickets to Munich (for the Champions League final), Bilbao (for the Europa League final) and Wroclaw (for the Conference League final), with their loyal legions of fans following suit.
We looked at the cost of attending the respective European finals, ranging from flying to the respective host cities, food and accommodation costs as well as the price of tickets.
Data Collection
We collected the following data points to determine the overall cost of attending each European final:
- Flight costs (via Google Flights)
- Accommodation costs for a two-night stay using Bookings.com and AirBnB listings
- Cost of three meals for a two-night stay (via Numbeo)
- Prices of Category 1,2 and 3 tickets for the respective final (via the official UEFA site)
The flight costs to the respective host cities were calculated from the cities where the participating clubs are located.
Cost Of Attending The Champions League Final
Arsenal will most likely not be laying their hands on the Premier League trophy this year but the Champions League title is within their grasps. The Gunners were imperious in their quarter-final win over defending champions Real Madrid, winning both legs and booking a spot in a Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2009.
If the Gunners can overcome PSG over two legs, they’ll be in their first final since 2006. As per our analysis, it would cost an Arsenal fan, on average, over £2,000 for the experience of watching the final in Munich. If one wants to go completely economical, it can be experienced at nearly half the average cost.
Cost Of Attending The Europa League Final
We could see an all-English affair in the Europa League final if Manchester United and Tottenham are able to overcome Athletic Club and Bodø/Glimt respectively.
For Manchester United fans, attending the final at San Mames Stadium could cost them over £3,000 which is more expensive than what Arsenal fans would have to pay, on average, to visit Munich and attend the Champions League final.
Tottenham fans are in the same boat with the average cost of visiting Bilbao and attending the final coming to over £3,000.
Cost Of Attending The Conference League Final
Chelsea fans, meanwhile, will be spending far less than Arsenal, Manchester United or Tottenham fans, if they make it past Djurgården.
As per our analysis, a visit to Wroclaw to watch the final at Stadion Wroclaw will cost about £1,500. If Chelsea fans want to be economical, they can cut that cost down to about £610.
Methodology
- Round trip flight costs from cities of semi-finalists to respective final venues were collected through Google Flights.
- Accommodation costs for two nights were collected via listings on Booking.com and AirBnB.
- Cost of three meals per day (total six meals) was collected for respective cities through Numbeo.
- Ticket prices were sourced via UEFA’s official website.
