Euroleague: Security measures for the Final Four – What you need to know

Athens will be under heightened surveillance ahead of the start of the Euroleague Final Four, with the Hellenic Police implementing specific security measures to ensure the safe conduct of the event.

The primary objective of the Hellenic Police is the smooth and secure execution of the tournament, 19 years after Athens last hosted a Final Four. Any unlawful or violent act will prompt immediate intervention, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

As part of the operational plan for the EuroLeague 2026 Final Four, increased police presence is planned across all points of interest, including sports facilities, fan gathering areas, public transport stations, and major roadways in the Athens metropolitan area. Surveillance and monitoring equipment will be used to oversee the perimeter of facilities, and continuous operational oversight will be maintained at fan gathering and transit points.

During the event, a centralized Operations Center will operate at O.A.K.A., under the general coordination of the S.E.K., with participation from all relevant agencies and services. The aim is continuous operational monitoring, immediate information exchange, and rapid and effective incident management.

Fan transportation to the Final Four

Special emphasis is placed on completely separating fans by team. Organized transport will occur exclusively through designated assembly points and specific routes, under strict police escort.

Olympiacos fans will gather at the ISAP “Faliro” station, Fenerbahçe fans at “Thiseio” station, and Real Madrid and Valencia fans at the Panathenaic Stadium. From these points, organized, controlled, and separated transport will move fans to O.A.K.A.

Adherence to the scheduled arrival and departure times is crucial to maintaining separate fan flows and avoiding crowding or unwanted interactions between different fan groups.

Olympiacos fans should arrive at ISAP “Faliro” station by 13:00, with train departures scheduled for 15:00. Fenerbahçe fans should be at “Thiseio” station by 12:00, departing around 14:00. Real Madrid and Valencia fans will gather at the Panathenaic Stadium from 14:00. Buses will depart at 16:00 for Real Madrid fans and at 15:45 for Valencia fans.

Late arrival or unsanctioned movement is prohibited. Additionally, escorting, approaching, or obstructing team delegations en route to or from venues and accommodation is strictly forbidden.

Access Procedure at O.A.K.A.

Fans must arrive on time and carry valid identification documents and their tickets. Gates will open on schedule, with separate entry flows for fans, VIPs, teams, media, and people with disabilities to avoid congestion and ensure smooth entry.

Three distinct perimeter security zones will be enforced at O.A.K.A., with multi-level, continuous, and strict checks including ticket verification, ID validation, electronic cross-checking, physical inspections, and baggage checks.

Original police ID or passport must be presented and must match the ticket information exactly. Any discrepancies will result in denial of entry and immediate removal from the venue.

Fans will receive a special security wristband after screening, and random checks will continue inside the secure zones. Any person without a valid ticket, accreditation, or security marking will be immediately removed.

A strict no-reentry policy is enforced. Once fans exit the controlled zones, they may not reenter. No vehicles without the authorized EuroLeague QR Code may approach the O.A.K.A. Perimeter C. All checks are universal, with no exceptions.

For the final (Sunday, 24 May), fan assembly points may be updated based on semifinal results, with updated instructions issued if needed.

Final Four fan zone

A Fan Zone is planned at Zappeion, operating on 21–22 May from 11:00 to 23:00 and on 24 May (final) from 11:00 to 20:00.

Access will be via a reservation system, with a maximum capacity of 1,500 people at any given time. Real-time occupancy monitoring and police presence will ensure crowd control, and if needed, a dispersal plan will direct people safely to prevent overcrowding or uncontrolled gatherings.

Traffic measures

Regarding traffic regulations, from May 22 to 24, gradual and temporary traffic restrictions will be implemented around O.A.K.A., SUNEL ARENA (where the “Adidas NextGen EuroLeague” games will take place), team hotels, and major roadways in the Athens metropolitan area.

Specifically, the traffic measures include:

• Prohibition of stopping and parking, along with gradual vehicle stoppages on streets and avenues near the sports facilities.
• Gradual stoppages along the routes used by team delegations, particularly on Kifisias Avenue, Mesogeion Avenue,
• Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, P. Kanellopoulou Street, Western Peripheral Hymettus
• Avenue, and the Attiki Odos, depending on traffic conditions.
• Increased traffic police presence at major intersections to manage traffic flow and assist drivers.

Detailed traffic measures and affected streets will be announced later today in an updated notice.

Citizens are urged to stay informed about the traffic regulations, which will be available on a special banner on the Hellenic Police website (www.astynomia.gr), avoid unnecessary travel in event areas, and, whenever possible, use public transportation.

Fans are also advised to:

• Arrive well before the start of the games,
• Carry the required identification documents, and
• Fully comply with instructions from police officers and event organizers.

It is reiterated that:

• No individual without a valid ticket or official accreditation will be allowed to enter or remain in controlled areas of the venue.
• No vehicle without the authorized EuroLeague QR Code may approach the O.A.K.A. “Perimeter C.”

Euroleague Final Four: Ban on Gatherings and Motorized Processions – Hours and Streets
In connection with the Euroleague Final Four, the Athens Police Directorate (D+GADA) has prohibited public outdoor gatherings and motorized processions.

According to the announcement:

“By decision of the Director of the Athens Police Department, during the ‘EUROLEAGUE FINAL FOUR ATHENS 2026,’ public outdoor gatherings and motorized processions are prohibited in central Athens from 06:00 on May 21, 2026, until 06:00 on May 25, 2026, specifically in the area bounded by Rizari-Plutarchou-Ypsilantou-Monis Petraki-Ravine-Vladimir Bensi-Papadiamantopoulou-Alkmanos-Ionos Dragoumi-Vasileos Alexandrou Avenue-Antinoros-Rizari streets.”

The prohibition is based on existing regulations on public assemblies and a specific, well-documented risk assessment, in line with necessity and proportionality principles, taking into account points of interest for the sporting event and its duration.

During the event, increased numbers of fans, team delegations, officials, and other participants are expected in central Athens, particularly within the designated area.

Holding gatherings or motorized processions in this area could pose serious public safety risks due to potential crowding and confrontations.

Additionally, such gatherings or processions could disrupt socio-economic activities by blocking traffic, limiting access to public services, businesses, residences, and accommodation, and impairing normal city operations.

The measure is considered appropriate and necessary because milder actions are insufficient to prevent these risks effectively. It is proportional, as it is limited in duration, confined to a specific area, and restricted to what is essential for public safety and the city’s smooth functioning.

It is reminded that the Hellenic Police has already implemented a special operational plan, including increased police presence, perimeter pre-screening zones, strict targeted security checks, and specific traffic and operational adjustments around O.A.K.A. and key roads.

Controls will be intensive and continuous to ensure that no dangerous or prohibited items enter the venue, in accordance with the current legal framework for sports event security, and there will be zero tolerance for violence or property damage.

A detailed presentation of the measures, including maps and deployment, will be provided by the Police tomorrow morning. It is also expected that fans who had previously purchased tickets will be allowed to transfer tickets to another name.

In any case, even if someone chooses to keep such tickets and enter the stadium, pre-established security measures and strict police presence will prevent any tensions inside the venue.