A "full house is guaranteed at the Santiago Bernabéu" for Friday's Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, "even though the ticket prices agreed by the two clubs and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are the highest ever," according to Miguel Angel Lara of MARCA. Never before had the most expensive tickets for the Spanish Cup final cost as much as €275 ($354.7). It is true that the cheapest tickets are €10 ($12.9) cheaper than other years, "but there are three different ticket categories that cost more than last season's most expensive" ticket, which was €200: €220 ($283.7) in the upper and lower stands, €245 ($316) in the first amphitheatre and €275 closer to the pitch (MARCA, 5/14).
SECURITY TO COST $193,455: The EFE reported Spain's Federal Police Union (UFP) has estimated the event's security cost to be €150,000 ($193,455.) UFP spokesperson Serafín Giraldo said that "counting 10 hours for each of the 945 mobilized police officers and adding the gas for the 164 police cars and the movement of reinforcement agents from Málaga, Galicia, Barcelona and Sevilla, the cost will rise to €150,000." Giraldo said the 945 police officers "will be separated from public security, which is not patrolling the streets but obviously has a cost. The private business that wants to pay for public security has to pay" (EFE, 5/16).
TEAMS PLAN CELEBRATIONS: MARCA reported if Real Madrid wins Friday, the club will celebrate with its players and staff on Friday night in Cibeles Plaza. If Atlético wins, the celebration "would take place Saturday at Plaza De Neptuno." Madrid spokesperson Enrique Núñez said that "The official celebration at Madrid Town Hall for Real would be scheduled for Saturday morning, while it will be held Saturday afternoon if Atlético wins" (MARCA, 5/16).
