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Istanbul authorities announced a series of road closures and alternative routes ahead of the 2026 UEFA Europa League final set to take place at Besiktas Park (Tupras Stadium) on May 20.
According to a statement from the Istanbul Police Department, several roads around the stadium will shut down between May 17 and May 20 as technical preparations ramp up for the final between Germany’s Freiburg and the U.K.'s Aston Villa.
Authorities noted that starting from 7 a.m. local time (GMT+3) on Wednesday until the end of the match, multiple roads in the area will remain closed to vehicle traffic.
The closures include Sehit Mehmet Street, the return road between the Bomonti-Dolmabahce Tunnel exits, and Kadirgalar Street, as well as the Macka return routes.
Drivers will be redirected through Dolmabahce Gazhane Street, Dolmabahce Street, and Kadirgalar Street during the restrictions, the statement noted.
The 2026 UEFA Europa League final will see Freiburg face Aston Villa at Besiktas Park on Wednesday, May 20.
The match marks Freiburg’s first-ever European final, while Aston Villa returns to a UEFA final for the first time since winning the European Cup in 1982.
The final is also another major milestone for Villa manager Unai Emery, who is chasing a fifth Europa League title after previously winning the competition four times.
Besiktas Park, home of Besiktas, previously hosted the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, where Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The 2026 Europa League final will be the stadium’s second major UEFA final.
The stadium, located on the Bosphorus shoreline in Istanbul, holds around 40,000 spectators.
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