A beer receipt has revealed the price Man United and Tottenham fans are forking out in Bilbao ahead of the Europa League final.
Supporters had been warned earlier this month to expect eye-watering prices for alcoholic beverages in the Spanish city.
It followed the cost of accommodation rising by as much as 900 per cent after the two English sides advanced from their respective semi-finals.
Local bars and restaurants were urged to ‘not sell pints of beer for 10 euros’ as was the case during the European rugby cup finals in 2018.
Kepa Loizaga, a delegate from the Basque Consumers and Users Organization, had called for businesses to consider the image Bilbao was projecting to the world.
The warning may have been heeded, with one receipt showing reasonable prices in the city.
Fans have been forking out €5 for beers ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao
Man United and Tottenham fans had been warned about potentially sky high prices
Fans could purchase a 40cl beer for €5 (£4.20), while a ‘katxi’ – a one-litre beer was priced at €10 (£8.40) at one fan meeting point.
Prices, however, had reportedly been doubled for the arrival of Man United and Tottenham fans.
Mixed drinks, including gin, rum or whisky, were priced at €9 (£7.60).
Water had been priced €2 (£1.60), while non-alcoholic beer, coke and tonic would set fans back €3.50 (£2.90).
Fans were also required to buy reusable cups for €1 (0.80p), which were non-refundable.
Supporters have been soaking up the atmosphere in the build-up to kick off, with fans largely separated into different parts of the city.
An estimated 80,000 fans of both teams have reportedly descended on the city
Manchester United fans took over the Plaza Neuva, in the heart of Bilbao’s old town.
Fans have been forking out for alcoholic drinks in the build-up to the showpiece in the city
Tottenham and Man United fans have largely been separated in the Spanish city
Manchester United fans took over the Plaza Neuva in the heart of Bilbao’s old town
The picturesque square is surrounded by stylish bars and eateries specialising in serving Pintxos, small snacks typical in Spain’s Basque region.
Tottenham supporters congregated in Pozas, located close to the San Mames stadium, which will host the final.
Each of the Premier League clubs have been allocated 15,000 tickets each for the final but an estimated 50,000 fans, many of them expected to be supporters of Tottenham could be in the city without tickets, causing a major security headache for organisers.
Police are putting in place three safety rings around the 53,000 capacity San Mames stadium to ensure ticketless fans cannot get close to it and all roads around it have been closed to traffic. Separate routes have also been created for Tottenham and Manchester United supporters accessing the ground.
The centre of Bilbao has effectively been divided into two with one side for Tottenham fans and the other for Manchester United. Giant screens have also been erected so that those without tickets can watch the game.
Bingen Zuperia, the security advisor for the Basque Government described the security operation as the largest ever not just in Bilbao but the entire Basque region and admitted that he was ‘nervous.’
He said: ‘We are constantly reviewing the operation. I won’t hide the fact that I’m nervous; this job generates moments of anxiety. This will be the largest security deployment in the history of the Basque country.’
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Both Man United and Tottenham fans have travelled to Bilbao hoping their teams can rescue dismal seasons by securing European glory.
The two clubs head into the final amid disastrous Premier League campaigns, which see them lie 16th and 17th in the table.
Tottenham would end a 17-year trophy drought with victory.
Victory for either Ruben Amorim or Ange Postecoglou's sides will come with the added incentive of qualification for next season's Champions League, making the match reportedly worth around £100m.
