Sporting and Benfica share the top spot in Portugal’s Premier League and are set to face each other on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, in a match that could determine the winner of the Portuguese football championship. The derby will affect not only the city’s metro facilities but also electoral campaign activities in the Portuguese capital.
Parking Restrictions Imposed. But Where?
Parking will be restricted in the areas surrounding Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon starting from 9 a.m. on Saturday, and the Marquês Tunnel will close at 3 p.m. due to the Benfica-Sporting football match, authorities announced today.
The Lisbon City Council (CML) stated that parking will be reserved from 9 a.m. on Edgar Cardoso Avenue and Sidónio Pais Avenue. Additionally, from 3 p.m., the Marquês Tunnel will be closed to set up an emergency field hospital.
And What About Traffic?
The Public Security Police (PSP) announced “progressive closures” in various streets in the capital, particularly around Marquês de Pombal, where a venue for potential celebrations will be erected. The area will be closed and traffic will be prohibited starting at 5:30 p.m.
Traffic restrictions will be temporary during the movement of teams and organized fan groups from the early afternoon, the PSP further elaborated.
The police intend to prevent the gathering of fans around the famous Lisbon square’s roundabout. Only after the match will fans of the club potentially crowned champions be allowed entry into the makeshift venue for celebrations, if they occur.
Metro Services Also Affected
The Lisbon Metro also issued a warning today that the stations of Parque, Marquês de Pombal, Avenida, and Picoas will close to the public from 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. This closure is in anticipation of potential celebrations of the national football champion, “for safety reasons and as per PSP’s instructions.”
Traditionally, to celebrate championship wins, fans of both clubs, who are separated by only a few kilometers, gather at the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and its surroundings.
About 60 Businesses May Have to Close Early
Due to the security perimeter around Marquês de Pombal established by the PSP, the CML has mandated the restriction of operating hours from 5 p.m. for approximately 60 restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, and various businesses in the Marquês de Pombal area and Parque Eduardo VII, in the parishes of Santo António and Avenidas Novas.
However, the obligation to close “will be lifted if by the end of the Benfica-Sporting match, by around 8 p.m., there is no national football champion,” authorities highlighted.
Sporting Issued Warning to Fans
Sporting has informed that “the gathering at Estádio José Alvalade begins at 1:30 p.m.” local time, and the journey toward the red-and-white venue “in the habitual parade duly supervised by security forces” will take place at 3 p.m.
They also advised avoiding “travelling through areas surrounding Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, especially around Alto dos Moinhos and Avenida Machado Santos,” and to refrain from wearing “Sporting CP attire in non-Sporting CP areas to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Derby Also Affects Election Campaign Activities
Electoral campaign activities by PS, AD, and IL will end earlier on Saturday due to the Benfica-Sporting derby, which could be crucial for deciding the national football championship.
A PS source confirmed several scheduled activities for Saturday, passing through Santo Tirso, Vila Nova de Famalicão, and Bragança, with the rally concluding before the game, considering the derby’s scheduling in their campaign planning.
AD plans to conclude even earlier, ending with a lunch in Famalicão, while the Liberals will do the same with their agenda ending by lunchtime. In the morning, starting at 11 a.m., the party plans to host a “sports morning” on the beach of Santo Amaro de Oeiras.
The activities planned by Livre will also not coincide with the ‘big’ match of the 33rd round of Liga I, as the last engagement on Saturday is scheduled for 3 p.m., with a visit and meeting with YouthCoop in Cacém.
Meanwhile, Chega has plans scheduled to coincide with the end of the derby between Benfica and Sporting, as the party begins the day with a walk-about in Vila Real and progresses to Viseu for a dinner at 8 p.m., with no changes planned.
The PAN, CDU, and Bloco de Esquerda have chosen to head to northern Portugal on Saturday afternoon without changes to their plans, despite the Lisbon derby.
Please note that if neither rival emerges as champion on Saturday, the final round, scheduled for May 18’s electoral weekend, becomes crucial when Sporting hosts Vitória de Guimarães and Benfica visits Sporting de Braga.
