PSG-Arsenal: bars, giant screens… Where to watch the Champions League final Saturday in Paris and Île-de-France?

At 6 PM this Saturday, the whistle will blow, commencing a match that could see Paris Saint-Germain lift its second consecutive Champions League trophy. To witness this potential triumph, numerous venues across the capital and its surrounding areas are gearing up with giant screens, televisions, and powerful sound systems. Here’s a curated, though not exhaustive, list of places to join the excitement.

Firstly, don’t expect a massive fan zone in Paris. The ambitious project, championed by Mayor (PS) Emmanuel Grégoire, ultimately remained shelved. This decision stemmed from a packed schedule of other major events on the same day, including concerts by Aya Nakamura at Stade de France and Damso at Paris La Défense Arena, not to mention the ongoing Roland-Garros tournament and an earlier Stade Français match at Jean-Bouin.

Bars are ready, but plan an early arrival

While a dedicated fan zone won’t materialize, the festive atmosphere is guaranteed. Across Paris, countless bars are preparing to broadcast the clash against the reigning English champions. Some establishments, not typically associated with football screenings, are even making special arrangements to turn on their televisions for the occasion. A crucial tip: many venues do not accept reservations, so consider arriving as early as 4 PM to secure your spot.

Among the well-known hotspots are perennial favorites like Hall’s Beer Tavern in Châtelet (1st arrondissement), Café Oz at Grands Boulevards (9th), and O’Sullivans in Pigalle (18th). Don’t overlook Belushi’s at Gare du Nord (10th) and Canal de la Villette (19th), renowned for their expansive giant screens. Each venue typically operates under a specific policy: some require advance booking, often with a fee, while others adhere to a strict “first-come, first-served” basis. Securing free reservations can be particularly challenging.

Beyond the usual suspects, several other locations are altering their schedules for this special occasion. In the 13th arrondissement, Wanderlust will host a match screening followed by an extensive party lasting until 6 AM. In northern Paris, the brand-new Central Chapelle (18th) will open its doors at 4 PM, with an entry fee of €18.99 covering both the match and the subsequent evening festivities.

The Boom Boom Villette shopping center in the 19th arrondissement will be decked out in PSG colors, offering tickets for €20. In central Paris, the historic Grand Rex cinema will also screen the final. Currently, the event is fully booked, but hopeful fans can still register on a waiting list.

In the 5th arrondissement, the rooftop venue Sama offers complimentary reservations, while Sacré (2nd) will feature four giant screens spread across two distinct rooms. Near Bastille (11th), the Japanese restaurant Yoru has various pricing tiers ranging from €11 to €21. Close to Gare de l’Est, Café A continues its tradition of screening matches, a practice it has upheld since the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

XVIIe arrondissement town hall fully booked

Other notable locations setting up giant screens include Cabaret Sauvage (19th), Hippodrome de Longchamp (16th), Virage (17th), Canal Barboteur (Bobigny), and La Clairière (16th). Notably, the town hall of the 17th arrondissement will accommodate 600 spectators, though it is currently fully booked.

Beyond the city limits, the passion for PSG will resonate throughout the Île-de-France region. Many establishments will broadcast the match, and several towns have arranged for giant public screens, such as Conflans-Sainte-Honorine and Le Perray-sur-Yvelines. In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the match will be shown at the historic Camp des Loges, just as it was last year, with doors opening at 3:30 PM.

Drancy, Saint-Ouen, L’Île-Saint-Denis…

In Noisy-le-Grand (Seine-Saint-Denis), a fan zone will be set up in the Hôtel de Ville gardens, while the athletics stadium in Neuilly-sur-Marne has been repurposed for the event. Fans can also head to Sand Fabrik in Pantin, Stade Pierre Lacans in Villepinte, or Drancy, where Parc de Ladoucette will open its gates at 4 PM. Saint-Ouen will buzz with excitement at La Communale, and the match will be projected at Théâtre Jean-Vilar in L’Île-Saint-Denis.

For those wishing to spend their Saturday afternoon without football, some venues have explicitly announced they will not be broadcasting the match. This includes Trinquet Village in the 16th arrondissement, which confirms it will remain open regardless, and Ground Control (12th), which has a long-standing program for the grand finale of the Paris Beer Festival. The question remains: will patrons be able to resist the urge to sneak peeks of the match on their phones? We’ll find out this Saturday.