Manchester United and Tottenham supporters face a stark reality check concerning the cost and difficulty of attending the Europa League final, should their teams qualify. With the prospect of an all-English final in Bilbao, Spain on May 21st, fans investigating travel options are discovering vastly inflated prices.
Accommodation in the city centre is largely booked, with few hotels available for less than £1,000 per night.
Direct flights from London and Manchester to Bilbao are entirely sold out for the week surrounding the final. The most affordable remaining flight options involve stopovers, such as a route through Milan, still costing around £350 for a brief stay covering the match day.
Fans are contemplating alternative travel plans like flying into other Spanish cities such as Madrid and continuing by train or coach, or facing lengthy road journeys.
The prohibitive expenses have understandably caused widespread consternation among supporters, with many voicing their shock at the sky-high cost of getting to and staying in Bilbao for the event.
