Wrocław Hosts Historic UEFA Conference League Final

WROCŁAW, Poland — On Wednesday, Wrocław will host the final of the UEFA Conference League between Chelsea FC and Real Betis. This prestigious match was awarded to Poland after the Polish Football Association (PZPN) successfully convinced UEFA to allow them to organize the event.

The final represents a significant achievement for PZPN. In total, three Conference League finals have taken place, with the first in 2022 in Tirana, Albania, which attracted 20,000 fans. The subsequent final in Prague drew 17,000, while last year in Athens saw 27,000 attendees. This year, around 42,000 fans are expected in Wrocław, marking the largest crowd in the brief history of the tournament.

Gaining the rights to host the final was no easy feat for the PZPN, which had to meet various requirements set by UEFA. The selection process for the host city began two years ago, with UEFA officials conducting five visits to evaluate the stadium, hotel infrastructure, and transport links. Multiple online meetings and numerous emails were part of the venture.

Krzysztof Szłapka, project coordinator for the city of Wrocław, noted, “I have never seen my email inbox so full. Of course, organizing such an event requires numerous agreements.” UEFA representatives were particularly impressed with the Tarczyński Arena, the home stadium of Śląsk Wrocław.

Despite its advantages, the stadium required significant upgrades. The city invested millions in enhancements, including doubling the media tribune size and modernizing various infrastructure components. Marcin Janiszewski, a spokesperson for the Tarczyński Arena, said, “We upgraded all scanners at the turnstiles, changed equipment controlling the video boards, and improved the WiFi for journalists.”

One key requirement from UEFA was the pitch’s quality, which had to be replaced with new, high-quality turf. “Logistically, it was a complex undertaking,” Janiszewski said. “We received dozens of refrigerated trucks from southern Europe carrying the new grass.”

Tarczyński Arena will “belong” to UEFA days before the match, with around 150 UEFA staff and about 400 volunteers expected to work on the day of the final. Janiszewski confirmed high interest in tickets, with requests exceeding the available supply by four times.

The preparations extend beyond the stadium. Wrocław is gearing up for tens of thousands of visitors, with 20 chartered flights expected from Spain. UEFA mandates that host cities provide fan zones with attractions. In Wrocław, four fan zones will accommodate ticket holders, with additional spaces for non-ticket holders to enjoy the match on large screens.

<p“With its world-recognized status, Wrocław is prepared with a solid infrastructure, including hotels and restaurants, some of which will be featured in Michelin guides starting this June,” Szłapka said. Local eateries have even crafted special menus for the event.

This final features notable teams from top European leagues, as Chelsea placed fourth in the Premier League last season while Betis secured sixth in LaLiga. The city celebrates hosting its largest football match in 13 years since Euro 2012.