Olympiacos supporters are scheduled to depart from Faliro station on Athens’ ISAP electric railway line at around 3 p.m., while Fenerbahçe fans will begin leaving from Thissio station at 2 p.m. Supporters of Real Madrid and Valencia will follow later from the Panathenaic Stadium area.
The first images emerging from Thissio station underline the scale of the operation. Special barriers and security tape have already been installed, while riot police units and additional Hellenic Police forces have been deployed throughout the area.
According to STASY, the operator of Athens’ urban rail network, on Friday, May 22, 2026, Thissio station will operate exclusively for fan transportation from 1 p.m., while Faliro station will do the same from 2 p.m. Special trains will run directly to Irini station, the stop serving OAKA, without making intermediate stops.
During that time, all other Line 1 metro trains will pass through Thissio and Faliro stations without stopping for regular passengers. Both stations will reopen to the public once fan transportation has been completed.
Athens Under Fortress-Level Security
Athens has effectively turned into a fortress ahead of the EuroLeague Final Four, as Greek authorities activate one of the country’s largest security operations in recent years.
More than 4,000 police officers, drones, special forces units, sniffer dogs and hundreds of surveillance cameras will be deployed across OAKA, central Athens and major road arteries. Strict traffic measures and bans on public gatherings are also being enforced in an effort to prevent violence and ensure the tournament is held safely.
The Security Zones
Three separate security zones will surround OAKA.
In Zone C, fans entering through eight pedestrian gates and six vehicle checkpoints will undergo visual ticket verification, identity checks, body searches and wristband issuance.
In Zone B, authorities will carry out wristband verification, ticket scanning, a second body search and final digital validation through turnstiles.
The approximately 20,000 fans attending the event will be required to pass through all three security zones, and entry will only be permitted with both a valid ticket and identification document, either a national ID card or passport.
Inside the arena, police officers will conduct random inspections. Spectators who enter the venue will not be allowed to leave before the end of the game.
“There will be zero tolerance for violence, delinquent behavior, attempts to provoke incidents or any effort to breach security measures,” said Police Spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou.
Emergency traffic measures will remain in force throughout the duration of the games to facilitate the safe movement of supporters.
Ban on Gatherings and Motorcades
Public gatherings and motorcycle convoys have been banned until Monday, May 25.
By order of the Director of the Athens Police Directorate, all outdoor public gatherings and motorized marches are prohibited until 6 a.m. on May 25 in central Athens, specifically within the area bordered by Rizari, Ploutarchou, Ypsilantou, Moni Petraki, Ravine, Vladimiro Benesi, Papadiamantopoulou, Alkmanos, Ionos Dragoumi, Vasileos Alexandrou Avenue, Antinoros and Rizari streets.
The official decision has been published both on the Greek government’s transparency platform “Diavgeia” and on the Hellenic Police website.
Traffic Measures and Road Closures
From May 22 through May 24, temporary and gradually implemented traffic restrictions will apply around OAKA, the SUNEL Arena — where the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague tournament will take place — team hotels and major roads across the Athens metropolitan area.
The traffic plan includes:
- parking and stopping bans, as well as rolling road closures near sports venues,
- temporary traffic stoppages along team transportation routes, particularly on Kifisias Avenue, Mesogeion Avenue, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, P. Kanellopoulou Street, the western Hymettus ring road and Attiki Odos motorway, depending on traffic conditions,
- increased traffic police presence at major intersections to regulate vehicle flow and assist drivers.
Authorities said a more detailed announcement listing affected roads and exact traffic restrictions will be released later in the day.
The Hellenic Police is urging residents and visitors to stay informed about traffic updates through a dedicated banner on the official police website, avoid unnecessary travel near event zones and use public transportation whenever possible.
