Sporting and Benfica share the top position in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and are set to compete at 6:00 PM at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, in a match that could determine the champion of Portuguese football.
Traditionally, fans from both clubs, which are located just a short distance apart, gather at the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and its surroundings to celebrate the championship victory.
The Lisbon City Council (CML) announced that from 9:00 AM today, parking will be reserved at Alameda Edgar Cardoso and Avenida Sidónio Pais, and from 3:00 PM, the Marquês Tunnel will be closed to set up a field hospital.
The police (PSP) have announced “progressive blockades” in various parts of the capital, especially around Marquês de Pombal, where a space for potential celebrations will be set up, closing the area to traffic starting at 5:30 PM.
Traffic restrictions will be temporary, occurring during the movement of teams and organized fan groups from early afternoon, PSP added.
The police also stated that the aim is to prevent fans from gathering in or around the roundabout of the well-known Lisbon square. Only after the match will fans of the club potentially crowned champion be allowed to enter the improvised venue for celebrations, should they take place.
Due to this security perimeter near Marquês de Pombal, set by the PSP, the CML has ordered an early closing time, from 5:00 PM, for around 60 restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and various commercial establishments in the Marquês de Pombal and Parque Eduardo VII areas, in the parishes of Santo António and Avenidas Novas.
However, this mandatory closing will not apply if, after the Benfica-Sporting match concludes around 8:00 PM, there is no national football champion.
The Lisbon Metro also warned that the stations of Parque, Marquês de Pombal, Avenida, and Picoas will close from 5:30 PM on Saturday in anticipation of possible celebrations for the national football champion, “for security reasons and on the advice of the PSP.”
The PSP recommended that fans arrive at the stadium well in advance, preferably using public transport networks such as trains, buses, and the metro.
