PARIS (AFP) – Up to 9,500 spectators will be allowed to watch the Europa League final in the Polish city of Gdansk later this month, UEFA announced on Monday (May 3rd) after getting the green light from the local authorities.

European football’s governing body said Polish officials had agreed that 25% of the roughly 40,000 seats at Gdansk stadium could be filled for Wednesday’s May 26 game.

The game could be an all-English affair with Manchester United almost certain of reaching the final after beating Roma 6-2 in their semi-final first leg last Thursday.

In the other semi-final, Arsenal will host Villarreal this Thursday behind 2-1 after the first leg of their game against the Spaniards.

Fans from outside Poland will be allowed in, with UEFA saying each finalist will be awarded 2,000 tickets while another 2,000 will go on sale to the general public.

The remaining tickets will be distributed to other groups such as UEFA’s business partners, broadcasters and national associations.

“Foreign fans will have to comply with border entry restrictions and requirements that will be in effect at the time of the final as no exemptions will be granted to ticket holders,” UEFA said in a statement.

He added that supporters may need to provide proof of a vaccine or a negative Covid-19 test to enter the ground.

The Gdansk site on the Polish Baltic coast, which hosted Euro 2012 matches, was due to host the Europa League final last year before the pandemic kicked in.

Instead, last season’s competition ended with a ‘Final 8’ format in Germany, with Sevilla beating Inter Milan in the final in Cologne.