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Aston Villa
Now you have your match ticket secured, it’s time to get planning! You’ll find all the key information you need to know for your trip to Istanbul. 👊
📅 Matchday schedule
10:00 - Fan Meeting Point opens
18:30 - Make your way to the stadium
19:00 - Stadium gates open
21:45 - Pre-match ceremony*
22:00 - Kick-off
All times are local. (UTC+3 / EEST)
*Please note that the pre‑match ceremony includes a light show with flashing effects, which may affect individuals with sensitivity to light.
📱Join the official matchday WhatsApp channel for Aston Villa supporters in Istanbul.
Keep up to date with everything that’s going on in Istanbul throughout the big day.
Match screening of the UEFA Europa League Final
For Aston Villa supporters in Istanbul who have missed out on a match ticket, the UEFA Europa League final will be screened live on the giant screen at the Aston Villa Fan Meeting Point in Taksim Gezi Park. Food and drinks will be available throughout the match. Come join the party and soak up the atmosphere with your fellow Villans!
🌍 Travel to Istanbul
Citizens travelling from the United Kingdom must enter Türkiye with a passport. For further information, check the full entry requirements before travelling.
If you’re taking a charter flight from the UK, you will arrive in Istanbul Airport [IST]. Dedicated coaches will take you from the airport to the Fan Meeting Point.
You will likely arrive at either Istanbul Airport [IST] or Sabiha Gökçen Airport [SAW].
If you are arriving on matchday, you should plan to land no later than 15:00 local time. Travel times within the city can be longer than expected, so plan ahead to ensure you don’t miss kick-off.
Getting to the Fan Meeting Point
• Public transport from IST: Take M11 to Gayrettepe, then change onto M2 for Taksim.
• Public transport from SAW (Recommended option): Take M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and change onto B1 - Marmaray line for Yenikapi and then take M2 to Taksim.
• Free airport shuttle buses for ticket holders to the city centre (Taksim) / Fan Meeting Point will operate on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May. Starting from 06:00 on both days.
♿ Visit the accessibility page for helpful information on travel, stadium services and facilities and more.
🆓 Free travel will be available across the entire Istanbul public transport network.
Ticket holders will be requested to show their mobile match ticket to public transport staff at the entry points.
Validity period: 00:00 Wednesday 20 May to 06:00 Thursday 21 May.
🤝 Free travel for this event is provided by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
🎉 Fan Meeting Point
Join fellow Villans for the ultimate pre-match celebrations with entertainment to get you hyped for the match!
Make your way here early so you can enjoy the final experience.
📍 Location: Taksim Gezi Park
🚶 Distance to the stadium: 1 km / 10-minute walk
🕙 Opening hours: From 10:00 and after the match
🎫 Entry: Free
🏟️ Ticket holders: From 18:30, make your way to the stadium via the blue route (information below).
🌃 After the match: The Fan Meeting Point including concessions and facilities will reopen for ticket holders to wait for their return journey home.
Facilities
🎒 A bag deposit will be available for free by the Fan Meeting Point. If you are boarding a post-match bus service for your return charter from IST airport, please allow sufficient time to collect the item. However, it’s best to not bring a large bag at all!
🍟 You’ll find multiple food and drink stands where you can grab tasty snacks, cold beers and soft drinks.
🚶 Getting to the stadium
Gates open at 19:00 local time for a 22:00 kick-off. You must use the blue route (as indicated on your mobile ticket) for your stadium entry.
Additional security and ticket checks will be in place during stadium entry.
The blue entrance at the stadium will be clearly signposted from the Fan Meeting Point. Please note that this area of Istanbul is moderately hilly. The walk down will take approx. 10 minutes whilst the walk back will take approx. 15 minutes.
🚐 Accessible shuttles will be available between the Fan Meeting Point in Taksim and the stadium before and after the match.
🏙️ Before the match 18:45 – 22:15: Taksim Gezi Park (Taşkışla Cd.) to Parking 3-B (north of the stadium)
🌆 After the match 00:00 – 01:15*: Parking 3-B (north of the stadium) to Taksim metro station. (*In the event of extra time and penalties, 01:00 – 02:15)
🚇 The closest metro station is Taksim on metro line 2.
➡️ The blue entrance will be clearly signposted. Follow the directions from the Fan Meeting Point to the correct entrance at the stadium.
🚢 The closest ferry port is Kabataş. A special ferry service will be in operation on matchday between Beşiktaş, Kabataş and Eminönü.
🚋 The closest tram stop is Kabataş on T1. However, it is not advised to use this service as it will be extremely busy on matchday.
Watch a preview of the stadium journey and entry
🚨 Stadium rules
Beşiktaş Park may operate differently for the Europa League final than you are used to.
❌ The following are prohibited inside the stadium:
- Bags larger than A4 size 🎒
- Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products🚭
- Coins of any currency - Coins are forbidden by law in the stadium. If found, they will be collected and donated to charity. 🙅
- Alcohol - No alcohol will be sold at the stadium. ⛔
- The complete list of forbidden items, such as professional cameras, can be found in the stadium rules.
✅ Items to bring on matchday include:
- Valid original ID. Accepted IDs include passport or national ID card. 🪪
- A small power bank, no larger than your phone. 🔋
Visit the stadium page for more information on stadium facilities and helpful faqs.
👋 After the match
If the match concludes in 90 minutes, the post-match ceremony and accompanying celebrations should finish by 00:30. If the match goes to extra time or penalties, expect the action on the pitch to continue until around 01:15.
Football is unpredictable and things can change. Please consider these times as estimates.
Coaches for the airport will be parked on Taşkişla Cd. close to the Fan Meeting Point. Head back up Asker Ocaği Cd. and as you reach the top turn left at the university building where coaches will be parked.
Airport shuttle buses for ticket holders to both IST and SAW airports will depart from the Fan Meeting Point. Services will continue based on demand.
Alternatively, if travelling to IST airport, head to Taksim for M2 service towards Gayrettepe then change onto M11.
Selected public transport services – M2, M4, M11 and T1 – will extend operating hours to help supporters travel after the match.
ℹ️ Useful information
Staying in Istanbul for a few days? 🛏️
Visit our explore Istanbul page for ideas for things to do and tourist information.
Local emergency services🚨
Sometimes unforeseen accidents happen. Dial 112 if you are involved in an emergency of any kind. Anyone travelling to Türkiye for the final are advised to check their travel insurance is valid for any unforeseen treatments during their trip. EHIC and GHIC cards are not valid in Türkiye.
British Consulate – Providing services to British nationals visiting Türkiye 📍
The British Embassy and Consulate in Türkiye will be on standby to assist travelling supporters, and strongly encourage all fans to stay informed ahead of departure. Visit the dedicated Türkiye Travel Advice page on the FCO website for the latest guidance and sign up for alerts to be kept fully informed during your trip.
- Ensure British passports are valid for at least 150 days to enter Türkiye
- Be aware of your environment and obey local laws and restrictions
- Keep an eye on your belongings
- Secure your passport, money and valuables
- It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. It is recommended to carry your passport. In some busy areas, especially Istanbul, the authorities may stop people for ID checks. Cooperate with officials (police) conducting checks
- It is illegal to consume alcohol in public places in Türkiye (a special licence has been granted for the official AVFC Fan Meeting Point at Taksim Gezi Park and ONLY within the boundaries of the Fan Meeting Point at this location)
- Alcohol should only be consumed at licensed bars and restaurants
- Don’t leave drinks unattended