The Lisbon City Council has announced that starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, parking will be reserved on Alameda Edgar Cardoso and Avenida Sidónio Pais. Additionally, the Marquês Tunnel will be closed from 3:00 PM for the setup of a field hospital.
Sporting and Benfica, currently sharing the lead in the Primeira Liga, will face each other at 6:00 PM on Saturday at Estádio da Luz, Lisbon. The outcome of this match could determine the winner of the Portuguese football championship.
The Public Security Police (PSP) has announced “progressive closures” on several main roads in the capital, with a particular focus on the Marquês de Pombal. A venue will be set up there for potential celebrations, leading to the closure of the area and the prohibition of traffic starting at 5:30 PM.
Traffic restrictions will be temporary and will coincide with the movement of teams and organized fan groups from the early afternoon, the PSP added.
The police also indicated their goal to prevent crowding within or around the roundabout of this iconic Lisbon square. Only after the match will supporters of the team potentially crowned champion be allowed into the improvised celebration area, should celebrations occur.
Due to the security perimeter around Marquês de Pombal set by the PSP, the Lisbon City Council has mandated the restriction of operations from 5:00 PM for approximately 60 restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and various commercial establishments in the Marquês de Pombal and Parque Eduardo VII areas, specifically in the Santo António and Avenidas Novas districts.
This closure mandate will be lifted if no national football champion is determined by the end of the Benfica-Sporting game at around 8:00 PM.
The Lisbon Metro also announced today that the stations Parque, Marquês de Pombal, Avenida, and Picoas will close to the public from 5:30 PM on Saturday due to the potential football championship celebrations. This decision is based “on security concerns and on the recommendation of the PSP.”
Typically, fans of both clubs, which are located just a few kilometers apart, gather at the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and its surroundings to celebrate championship victories.
The PSP has advised fans to arrive at the stadium in advance, ideally using public transportation — train, bus, or metro.
