Atleti-Chelsea to be played in Bucharest
The Romanian capital’s National Arena stadium will host our Champions League last 16 first leg fixture against Chelsea FC due to the Spanish Government’s restrictions on flights arriving from the UK.
Our Champions League last 16 first leg fixture against Chelsea FC, which was originally scheduled to be played at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 9pm CET, will finally take place at the Arena Națională stadium in Bucharest. Our club has agreed the change of venue – date and time remained unchanged – with UEFA, forced by the Spanish Government's restrictions on entry into Spain, which currently do not allow the arrival of flights from the United Kingdom with non-resident and non-national passengers.
Given the impossibility for the English team to travel to Spain, Atlético de Madrid has been looking for alternatives during the last few days, taking into account factors such as access to the country, availability of facilities, stadiums and the situation of the pandemic. It has been agreed with UEFA that the venue for the Champions League Last 16 first leg will be the Arena Națională in Bucharest.
The Arena Națională, home of Steaua Bucharest, FC Dinamo București and the Romania national team, is a modern and functional venue inaugurated in 2011. Coincidentally, it was the stadium where Atleti won the 2012 Europa League – defeating Athletic Club 3-0 on the night.
Atlético de Madrid would like to thank the Romanian Football Federation for their help and collaboration in hosting this match in Bucharest.
