Prague’s Eden Arena is bracing for an influx of football fans this Wednesday as Slavia Prague prepares to face FC Barcelona in the seventh round of the Champions League. With a high-profile European giant arriving in the capital, the Prague Police Presidium has announced a comprehensive security operation to manage the crowds and ensure the match proceeds without incident.
The operation, scheduled for January 21, involves a multi-branch deployment including riot police, criminal investigators, and foreign police units. Specialized regional units will also be on the ground. According to police spokesperson Jan Rybanský, officers will be monitoring the movement of both home and visiting supporters across the city throughout the day, providing escorts to the stadium where necessary.
Logistics remain a primary concern for local authorities. The Vršovice district, where the stadium is located, is notorious for traffic congestion during major events. “Parking capacities around the stadium are not unlimited,” Rybanský warned, urging fans to leave their cars at home or use P+R lots on the outskirts of the city. Traffic officers will be stationed at key intersections to manage the expected gridlock before and after the final whistle.
The match comes at a critical juncture in the tournament, and the arrival of the Catalan side is expected to fill the 19,000-seat stadium to capacity. Public transport remains the recommended way to reach the venue, with increased pressure expected on the city’s tram and bus lines serving the Eden stop.
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