UEFA makes an official decision on the location of the UEFA Champions League final. UEFA insists that the Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on June 10th, despite the uncertainty regarding the political situation in Turkey.
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium has been chosen to host the match for the second time, having previously hosted the memorable 2005 Champions League final where Liverpool completed an extraordinary comeback to defeat AC Milan on penalties. The stadium was also set to host the 2020 Champions League final, in which Bayern Munich defeated PSG 1-0.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final was relocated to the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. As a result, Istanbul was appointed as the venue for the 2023 Champions League final. However, recent reports have suggested that the final could be moved back to Lisbon if there are disturbances in the Turkish capital following the presidential elections.
UEFA has issued a statement denying that the final will be moved. In their statement, they said, “Following inaccurate and baseless media reports, UEFA would like to clarify its position regarding the 2023 UEFA Champions League final. The UEFA Champions League final 2023 will be held in Istanbul as planned on June 10, 2023. UEFA has no discussions about the contrary with any political institution, government, or national football association.”
High-level sources had previously downplayed the possibility of a final relocation, telling Mirror Football that frequent visits have been made to the Ataturk Stadium to ensure there are no security issues. UEFA has been working on an emergency plan since the beginning of this year, although it has become a standard protocol for major events since the COVID-19 pandemic.