Man Utd and Spurs fans told one common item at Europa final risks police action
Manchester United take on Tottenham in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday night, with around 80,000 supporters travelling to Bilbao from the UK for the game
Football fans travelling to Bilbao for tonight's Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham have been issued a stark warning: leave your vapes at home. The San Mames Stadium, home of Athletic Bilbao and the venue for much-anticipated showpiece, has banned e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products, with strict penalties for those who flout the rules.
United and Spurs are both hoping to turn dismal seasons into memorable ones by not only landing a major piece of silverware, but also booking an unlikely ticket to next season's Champions League. Up to 80,000 supporters are expected to descend on Bilbao, a city with a population of around 350,000.
Those with match tickets will need to be on guard, as spectators caught vaping could face ejection from the stadium, a fine, and even a report to the police. While vaping is legal in Spain, the rules inside San Mamés are far stricter for the Europa League final.
Ahead of the game, Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club and a founding member of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), urged fans to respect the rules. "If vaping is banned in the venue you're travelling to, it's best not to risk a fine or worse," he said.
"Fans heading to Bilbao for the Europa League final need to be especially careful. Those attempting to enter with prohibited items could face eviction and be reported to the police."
Marchant added: "Vaping within the stadium is prohibited, though there may be a designated smoking area. Check ahead of time, and don't risk using your vape in non-designated areas."
The list of banned items at San Mamés is extensive. Alongside vaping products and e-liquids, fans are prohibited from bringing photo and video cameras without permission, helmets, balaclavas, ski masks, drones, oversized flags or banners (larger than 2m), food, drugs, alcohol, weapons, laser pointers, megaphones, fireworks, flares, smoke powder, glass or plastic bottles, backpacks and large bags.
United and Tottenham enter the Europa League final with far more at stake than just silverware. Both clubs have suffered dismal domestic campaigns, sitting 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League - perilously close to relegation. Ravaged by injuries and plagued by inconsistency, the game represents not just a shot at redemption, but a springboard back into Champions League football.
Ruben Amorim's United reached the final with a 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Bilbao, while Tottenham secured their final spot with a 3-1 semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt.
For the Red Devils, a win would mark a third consecutive season with silverware, following their FA Cup triumph in 2024 and League Cup success in 2023. Tottenham, by contrast, are chasing an end to a 17-year trophy drought - their last coming in the 2008 League Cup.
While Amorim appears secure in his role, having only taken charge mid-season, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou's future remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that even a Europa League title may not be enough to save his job.
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Rhyl Journal
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