Influx of Uefa final fans begins

All 45,000 beds in Manchester hotels are booked

The massive influx of 100,000 football fans into Manchester for the Uefa Cup final has begun.

Thousands are already in the city for Rangers' clash against Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester stadium on Wednesday.

Big screens are being set up at fan zones in Albert Square, Piccadilly Gardens and Cathedral Gardens.

Alcohol will be available in the fan zones but the city's authorities are urging fans to "drink sensibly".

Rangers fans have begun travelling by road, rail and plane to Manchester for the final.

Tourist chiefs said Manchester was officially full with every hotel room in the city and for up to 20 miles beyond - 45,000 beds - booked up.

This will be an incredibly busy day for everyone in Manchester so be prepared to enjoy the atmosphere Pat Karney Council spokesman Phil Goodlad's Manchester diary What's on offer for fans Racism warning for Zenit support

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: "The hotels, restaurants and bars across Greater Manchester will be extremely busy and it will be a great atmosphere."

The 44,000-capacity match at the City of Manchester stadium is ticket-only, but only 13,000 were allocated to Scottish fans.

It means tens of thousands are expected to fill the city's public spaces during the match on Wednesday night, boosting the local economy by an estimated �5m.

More than 400 mobile toilets are also being installed as part of preparations for what has been dubbed the "friendly invasion", while Greater Manchester Police is planning a huge operation.

Match commander Ch Supt Gerry Donnellan said he wanted to make sure the expected high temperatures on Wednesday did not spoil fans' enjoyment of the game, which kicks off at 1945 BST.

"We are advising people to drink plenty of water throughout the day and, while we acknowledge that people will be drinking alcohol, we are asking that they drink sensibly."

Big screens are set up in the fan zones, including Albert Square

The fan zones will be licensed to allow the consumption of alcohol, but if supporters leave with a drink they will be asked to return.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's city centre spokesman, said: "We want our visitors to enjoy themselves, to be good ambassadors for their city and their football club and to return home safely after an entertaining world-class football match."

"This will be an incredibly busy day for everyone in Manchester so be prepared to enjoy the atmosphere."

Roads around Albert Square are closed on Wednesday, while one of the main roads next to the stadium, Alan Turing Way, will also be shut to traffic during the evening.

Signs are being erected to ensure that fans travelling to Manchester in coaches, minibuses and cars are directed to parking areas.

The Highways Agency, which has drafted in extra staff, has rescheduled its planned maintenance works to keep the motorways as free flowing as possible.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version