Chaotic scenes unfolded as supporters battled to leave Bilbao
News
16:29, 23 May 2025
Paul McGeady saw fans wrapping themselves in plastic sheets to keep warm outside Bilbao airport
Paul McGeady saw fans wrapping themselves in plastic sheets to keep warm outside Bilbao airport
(Image: Paul McGeady)
Scenes in Bilbao bus station were likened to the 'apocalypse' while some fans trekked for miles to reach the airport in a chaotic few hours after the Europa League final.
Supporters of both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur struggled to make their way back from Wednesday night's (May 21) match, which ended in a 1-0 Spurs win.
Hundreds of fans were seen kipping down on the floor of Bilbao bus station, with supporters told there were no buses running until 5am, as they struggled to find any available taxis after the game.
Others who needed to check-in for their return flights early on Thursday morning decided to trek for miles through Bilbao's mountainous terrain to the airport.
But those who did were greeted by a closed entrance, and supporters began to use plastic sheets to keep warm outside until the airport finally opened its doors at 4am.
Fans stranded in Bilbao bus station after the Europa League final
Fans stranded in Bilbao bus station after the Europa League final
Paul McGeady, 51, says he walked 14km over three hours before reaching the airport, after being told there would be no buses until 5am - the same time he needed to check in for his flight home.
"I've never known an airport to be closed," he said.
"Fans were lying on the floor. There was a roll of plastic bags. There were teenager in t-shirts and shorts. I checked on social media and there were hundreds at the bus station.
"We were saying 'thank God we had walked to the airport' so we hadn't had to wait outside for longer - there was one lad who had been there since 12.30am. It's just not acceptable."
The city's Metro ran an extended service for fans leaving the game until 3am, but there is no Metro service to Bilbao's airport.
Buses were running from the United fanzone to Santander airport for charter flights back to Manchester, but none were taking supporters to Bilbao airport.
With charter flights reportedly costing several hundred pounds, many United fans had found alternative ways to bring the cost down.
Mancunian Paul, who now lives in Oakham, Rutland, flew to Bilbao from London Gatwick via Rome - while another fan he spoke to went from Dublin to Paris, then Rome and finally Bilbao.
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He said: "It's not the most accessible place. We flew south to Seville to come back north and get home."
After reaching a closed Bilbao airport following the Europa League final, Paul says there were no facilities to buy food and drink, or use the toilet - which was far from ideal after a three-hour trek.
"People do anything for their club," added Paul. "I've seen us win finals and I've see us lose them. Without a doubt, we are second class citizens wherever we travel."
Josh Smith, 22, told the Manchester Evening News he had planned to get a taxi to the airport, but they were 'basically nowhere to be seen'.
Fans sleeping on the floor of Bilbao bus station
Fans sleeping on the floor of Bilbao bus station(Image: Josh Smith)
"After this we decided to head into the bus station so we’d at least have a place to sit in the warm," said Josh, from Retford, Nottinghamshire.
"When we arrived there must’ve been over a thousand fans sat on the floor sleeping using hoodies, flags and anything as pillows and covers.
"Me and my younger cousin who is 18 had to sleep in a window archway inside the station using our flags as pillows."
Josh, who is still on his way back home from Bilbao this afternoon (Friday) via Geneva in Switzerland, says his ankle has been in 'massive pain' since sleeping in the window.
He slept for around seven hours until 6.30am on Thursday morning, but says he was left without his luggage until 10am and couldn't catch a bus until 2pm - with 'thousands of fans' unable to catch earlier buses due to a 'lack of them put on'.
He added: "Overall the lack of service or any kind of facilities where fans could rest or even get a bottle of water were lacking massively, it was basically a fend for yourself kind of situation."
Other fans shared similar experiences on social media.
@PaulCun56694467 wrote on X: "Chaos in Bilbao bus station. Literally hundreds lying across floors. No post match buses back to airport. Taxis non existent. First bus to Airport 0500. With hundreds wanting to board. Fun awaits!!!!!. Disgraceful UEFA organisation."
Posting an image of a United fan wrapped in a flag while lying down on the floor, @Ryan01020304061 wrote on X: "I’m going to be having nightmares about Bilbao bus station for years to come."
@RYANGIBSON79 added: "Will be having nightmares about the Bilbao Bus station for years. Was like the walking dead apocalypse."
@TommyGorman37 wrote yesterday: "Not sure I’ve seen anything quite like Bilbao bus station in the early hours of this morning. Seriously grim."
@SW689908 said: "The amount of fans rough sleeping in Bilbao bus & train station is mad, fair play. Homeless reds."
@Mjb707 added: "Just left that bus station to get on the first train out of Bilbao. 7 hours after the game finished. Shambles."
Uefa has been approached for comment.