Madrid will operate under a major security plan when Atlético Madrid host Manchester United at the Metropolitano, with the fixture designated high risk ahead of the arrival of around 3,500 visiting supporters.
More than 1,200 security personnel will be deployed across the Spanish capital and around the stadium to protect the sporting focus of a European night expected to bring a full house. Police will also maintain a visible presence in Madrid’s tourist areas, where groups of United fans are likely to gather before making their way to the Metropolitano.
Manchester United supporters will be monitored before, during and after the match, with particular attention paid to smaller groups moving around the city during the day. English travelling support has traditionally prompted heightened planning from local authorities, and this occasion will be treated accordingly.
It is not the first time the two clubs have required such preparations in Madrid. When United faced Atlético in the Champions League at the Metropolitano in 2022, authorities also mounted an extensive operation around the game.
Inside the ground, Atlético will have a separate security structure involving more than 700 people. With every seat expected to be occupied and a substantial away following due in the capital, the club has asked its own supporters to arrive well before kick-off, allowing entry to be handled gradually rather than in a late rush at the turnstiles.
