Manchester United are preparing to face Tottenham in the Europa League final in Bilbao, with the San Mamés Stadium having implemented a strict ban on one common item
17:08, 21 May 2025
Manchester United fans soaking up the atmosphere ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao
Manchester United fans soaking up the atmosphere ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao(Image: Gari Garaialde/Getty Images.)
Manchester United and Tottenham fans hitting Bilbao for the Europa League final are being warned to ditch their vapes.
San Mamés Stadium, the hallowed turf of Athletic Bilbao and venue for tonight's all-Premier League showdown, has slapped a no-nonsense embargo on e-cigs and heat-not-burn baccy products. Supporters caught flouting the rules might get booted out, slapped with a fine, or have a run-in with local police.
For fans of both teams, it's not just about bagging a trophy – they're after a bit of glory to polish off a gnarly season. Lifting the Europa League means a golden ticket to the next Champions League, a pretty sweet deal given their respective dodgy runs in the league.
An army of up to 80,000 fans are set to descend on Bilbao – joining a Basque party with a tight-knit 350,000 locals. Vaping is legal across Spain, but the San Mamés authorities are having none of it for tonight's big game.
Fans marching to the match better be on their best behaviour: anyone nicked for vaping could find themselves getting the heave-ho, coughing up cash there and then, or facing the fuzz, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Tottenham fans in Bilbao, with vape smoke in the air
Tottenham fans in Bilbao, with vape smoke in the air
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Dan Marchant, of Vape Club and a founding member of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), issued a clear-cut warning. He said: "If vaping is banned in the venue you're travelling to, it's best not to risk a fine or worse.
"Fans heading to Bilbao for the Europa League final need to be especially careful. Those attempting to enter with prohibited items could face eviction and be reported to the police."
He added: "Vaping within the stadium is prohibited, though there may be a designated smoking area. Check ahead of time, and don't risk using your vape in non-designated areas."
San Mamés Stadium has got a long list of no-gos for fans, with bans slapped on things like unauthorised cameras and recording gadgets, face masks including ski masks or balaclavas, drones, gigantic banners over two metres, grub, booze, narcotics, knives, flares, fireworks, megaphones, laser pens, glass or plastic bottles, rucksacks and big bags.
United are stepping into this match with their pride on the line after a battered Premier League season where they're scraping by in 16th place. Tonight is a shot at salvaging some glory and nailing down a ticket to mix it with Europe's footballing royalty next season.
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Ruben Amorim's side blitzed into the final with a thunderous 7-1 aggregate knockout of Athletic Bilbao. They're on the hunt for a hat-trick of silverware hauls in as many years, chasing up last season's FA Cup triumph and the League Cup victory in 2023.
Tonight could also exacerbate the turmoil at Tottenham, where manager Ange Postecoglou is rumoured to be on shaky ground. There's talk that even a Europa League victory might not guarantee his tenure at the club.
Spurs secured their spot in the final with a 3-1 semi-final triumph over Bodo/Glimt. Despite a rocky domestic season - currently languishing at 17th in the Premier League - this final presents them with a golden opportunity to snap a 17-year trophy-less streak dating back to their 2008 League Cup success.