Ahead of the Sporting vs. Vitória de Guimarães match scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday at the José Alvalade Stadium, the Public Security Police (PSP) anticipates “temporary traffic restrictions before the game, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and after the event”, affecting surrounding areas such as Avenida Padre Cruz, Rua Professor Moniz Pereira, Rua Professor Fernando da Fonseca, Rua António Stromp, Rua Francisco Stromp, Rua Cipriano Dourado, Alameda das Linhas de Torres, Campo Grande, and 2ª Circular.
The PSP’s operation around the José Alvalade Stadium will focus on “minimizing the impacts of these restrictions while ensuring the safety and traffic flow in affected areas”, as stated in a police release.
The stadium doors are scheduled to open to the public at 4:00 PM; however, the PSP will begin its activities in the morning, including monitoring illegal parking and vehicle circulation.
Coinciding with the Sporting vs. Vitória de Guimarães match, the Sporting de Braga vs. Benfica game will also take place in Braga. Both matches are deemed “high-risk” by the PSP. The outcome will determine the national football champion title, contested by Lisbon-based teams Sporting and Benfica, and celebrations are expected to occur at Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon, a traditional celebration site.
Regarding the festivities around the Praça Marquês de Pombal, the PSP will gradually enforce road restrictions from 3:00 PM until the end of the celebrations. These include traffic closures at the Campo Grande/Marquês de Pombal axis, the Entrecampos roundabout, Avenida da República, Praça Duque de Saldanha, and Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, as well as closing the Campo Grande tunnel towards Saldanha.
Further traffic limitations are expected on access routes to Praça Marquês de Pombal, specifically at Praça de Espanha, Amoreiras (Avenida Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, including the closure and isolation of the Marquês tunnel and Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar), Restauradores, Rua Braamcamp, Avenida Duque de Loulé, Rua Martens Ferrão, and Rua Tomás Ribeiro, as informed by the PSP.
The police also noted that the perimeter area of the improvised site at Praça Marquês will be progressively reinforced by setting up access points, which will be controlled and reviewed by the PSP, with entry not permitted before 8:00 PM.
“The establishment of this area will lead to the closure of metro stations for entry and exit of passengers from 5:30 PM, including Picoas, Marquês de Pombal, Parque, and Avenida”, stated the PSP, while advising the public to use public transport. The nearby metro stations (Restauradores, Rato, Saldanha, or São Sebastião) will continue operating normally.
Concerning the national football champion celebrations, the PSP emphasized that it will conduct a “complex, dynamic, and extensive police operation” throughout the country, particularly in Lisbon and Braga, involving various sectors on Saturday.
In addition to traffic restrictions, dozens of commercial establishments in Lisbon will have restricted operating hours, particularly in the vicinity of José Alvalade Stadium from 1:00 PM Saturday to 7:00 AM Sunday, and near Praça Marquês de Pombal from 5:00 PM Saturday, as per the municipal decree. This decision is justified “for security reasons” following a PSP request.
Regarding the reception of the championship-winning team by the Lisbon City Council on Monday, around twenty commercial establishments near the Paços do Concelho will face operating hour restrictions from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
