Manchester United and Tottenham supporters have been warned to expect eye-watering prices for alcoholic beverages in Bilbao for the Europa League final.
The message comes after hotel accommodation in the city that will host the finale next week shot up by 900 per cent after the Red Devils and Spurs confirmed their spot in the showpiece.
Bilbao is expecting some 80,000 supporters to descend on the Basque city for the event with the city’s residents braced for an invasion the likes of which they have ‘never faced’ before, according to reports in Spain.
Rather predictably, local vendors will be keen to exploit the explosion in their prospective customer base and raise prices to maximise their profits. However, Basque Consumers and Users Organization delegate Kepa Loizaga has criticised the practice that has seen prices balloon ‘7, 8, and even 9 times’.
Loizaga urged bars and restaurants to ‘not sell pints of beer for 10 euros’ as was the case during the European rugby cup finals in 2018.
Additionally, he hit out at the ‘disproportionate and exorbitant’ pricing policy carried out by many of Bilbao hoteliers and also issued a warning to the city about the image it is projecting to the world.
Manchester United and Tottenham fans have been warned to expect astronomical prices for alcohol in Bilbao
Rather predictably, local vendors will be keen to exploit the explosion in their prospective customer base and raise prices to maximise their profits
Bilbao is expecting some 80,000 supporters to descend on the Basque city for the event with the city’s residents braced for an invasion
‘We already know that almost all businesses operate according to supply and demand, both flights and accommodations,’ he told Bilbao outlet El Correo. ‘There are no limits on increases or decreases. Everyone sells their product as they wish.’
He added: ‘What we are conveying to the rest of the world is very negative.’
The two Premier League sides booked their spot in the final following impressive wins against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt respectively, and will look to salvage their seasons at San Mames after less than impressive league showings.
Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings, with Ruben Amorim’s players just one spot above them in 16th place.
However, the road to securing both a ticket and a bed to sleep in on the night of May 21 continues to be exceptionally challenging, with fans set to pay thousands for travel and accommodation.
Despite the obstacles, scores of British fans will make the journey, with El Correo suggesting that Man United and Spurs fans are set to ‘colonise’ the Basque city.
As per the Spanish outlet, at least half of the fans making the journey to Bilbao will likely arrive without a ticket, with Joseba Goirigolzarri, the president of three-to-five-star hotel union Destino Bilbao suggesting that British fans will ‘negotiate with sponsors, federations, and specialized travel agencies and explore every possible avenue to gain entry to San Mames’.
Other voices interviewed in the report, such as Hector Sanchez who manages the Bizkaia Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHB) has stressed that ‘the volume of people this match will attract is unique.
'We've never faced anything like this in the city.'
However, the influx is likely to be welcomed by the city's hoteliers, vendors, and restauranteurs, with one hospitality business owner delighted by the two teams that have made it to the final.
'They have high purchasing power, and are bigger spenders and drinkers than others,' said Felix Parte.
Whether that remains the case after expenses have been paid for the journey to and from the coastal city remains to be seen, with Mail Sport reporting on Friday morning after confirmation of the final that the cheapest flight to get from London to Bilbao on May 21 would run Spurs fans a whopping £355 for a one-way ticket.
