⚽ Champions League Final 2027 – Travel by Ferry
The UEFA Champions League Final returns to Madrid in 2027, bringing one of the biggest matches in European football to the Spanish capital.
The final will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano on Saturday 5 June 2027. Home to Atlético de Madrid, the stadium previously hosted the Champions League Final in 2019. For supporters travelling from the UK, flying is not the only option.
Taking the ferry allows you to bring your own car and turn the journey to Madrid into a European football road trip. You can sail directly to northern Spain or cross to France before continuing south towards Madrid.
🏆 Champions League Final 2027
Date: Saturday 5 June 2027
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano
City: Madrid
Country: Spain
The 2027 final will decide the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. The Estadio Metropolitano is located in the north-east of Madrid and has a capacity of around 70,000.
It will be the second time the stadium has hosted the Champions League Final. Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur there in the 2019 final. Madrid itself will host the European Cup or Champions League Final for the sixth time.
🚢 Can You Travel to the Champions League Final by Ferry?
Yes. There are two main ways to reach Madrid from the UK using a ferry.
🇪🇸 Option 1: Ferry Direct to Spain
Sail from the south of England to Santander or Bilbao in northern Spain.
You can then continue south through Spain towards Madrid.
This option involves a much longer ferry crossing. However, it significantly reduces the amount of driving required on the continent.
🚢 Portsmouth to Santander
The Portsmouth to Santander ferry provides a direct connection between England and northern Spain. Crossings generally involve two nights aboard the ferry, with sailings taking around 33 hours. Once you arrive in Santander, you can continue south by road towards Madrid.
Why choose this route?
- Sail directly from England to Spain
- Avoid the long drive through France
- Take your own car
- Relax during the longer sea crossing
- Continue directly towards Madrid after arrival
This route could work particularly well for supporters who prefer to spend more time aboard the ferry and less time driving.
🚢 Plymouth to Santander
Supporters travelling from the South West can also consider the Plymouth to Santander ferry. This is a considerably shorter crossing than Portsmouth to Santander.
Current schedules include crossings taking from around 20 hours 15 minutes, although sailing times can vary. After arriving in Santander, you can continue towards Madrid using Spain’s motorway network.
Why choose this route?
- Useful departure point for the South West
- Direct ferry from England to Spain
- Shorter crossing than Portsmouth to Santander
- Take your own vehicle
- Avoid driving through France
🚢Portsmouth to Bilbao
Another option is the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry. Bilbao sits on Spain’s northern coast and provides another useful starting point for the drive towards Madrid. Choosing between Bilbao and Santander may simply come down to which sailing works best with your planned travel dates.
Why choose this route?
- Direct crossing from the UK to Spain
- Avoid the drive across France
- Take your own car
- Good access to Spain’s road network
- Useful alternative to Santander
🇫🇷 Option 2: Ferry to France
Alternatively, take a shorter ferry crossing from the UK to France. From your arrival port, drive south through France before crossing into Spain and continuing towards Madrid.
This involves considerably more driving. However, there are more ferry routes and departure times to choose from. Which option works best will depend on where you live, how much time you have and whether you want the road trip to form part of your Champions League weekend.
🇫🇷 Travelling to Madrid via France
You do not have to sail directly to Spain. Another option is to take a ferry from the UK to France and drive towards Madrid. This creates a much longer road journey. However, it also gives you far more choice when selecting a ferry crossing.
Routes include:
- Dover to Calais
- Dover to Dunkirk
- Newhaven to Dieppe
- Portsmouth to Caen
- Portsmouth to Cherbourg
- Portsmouth to St Malo
Other UK–France crossings may also suit your starting point and travel plans.After arriving in France, you can head south towards Spain before continuing to Madrid.
⭐ Which Ferry Route Is Best for the Champions League Final?
There is no single route that will suit every supporter. However, you can narrow your choice depending on the type of journey you want.
🚗 Best for Less Driving
Ferry directly to Spain
Sailing to Santander or Bilbao removes the need to drive across France. You will spend longer at sea but considerably less time behind the wheel.
⛴️ Best for a Shorter Ferry Crossing
Travel via France
Routes such as Dover to Calais offer much shorter sea crossings. However, you then need to drive through France and into Spain.
🌙 Best for Making the Ferry Part of the Trip
Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao
Long-distance sailings allow you to relax aboard the ferry before beginning the road journey. Booking a cabin can also give you the chance to sleep during the crossing.
🗺️ Best for a European Road Trip
Travel through France
If you have several days available, driving through France can turn the Champions League Final into a much bigger European trip. You could add overnight stops before reaching Madrid.
🏟️ Getting to the Estadio Metropolitano
The Estadio Metropolitano is located in the north-east of Madrid.
Madrid’s Metro provides one of the easiest ways to reach the stadium, with Estadio Metropolitano station on Line 7 serving the venue. If you travel to Spain by car, you do not necessarily need to drive to the stadium.
It may be easier to leave your vehicle at your accommodation or another suitable location and use public transport on match day. UEFA and local authorities are likely to publish specific supporter travel information closer to the final. Always check the latest guidance before travelling.
🚘 Why Take the Ferry to the Champions League Final?
Travelling by ferry takes longer than flying. However, it gives football supporters several advantages.
Bring Your Own Car
Having your own vehicle gives you much more freedom once you arrive in Spain. You can choose where to stay and explore places outside Madrid.
Travel as a Group
Football trips are often better with friends. Travelling together by car and ferry can make the journey part of the weekend.
Take More Luggage
Travelling with your vehicle gives you much more flexibility when packing. That is particularly useful if you plan to spend several days travelling through Spain.
Extend Your Trip
Madrid does not have to be your only destination. You could explore northern Spain, visit another Spanish city or add stops during the return journey.
📅 When Should You Travel?
The Champions League Final takes place on Saturday 5 June 2027. If you are travelling by ferry, do not plan to arrive in Madrid on the day of the match. Long-distance ferry crossings and road journeys require more time than flying. Consider arriving in Madrid at least a day before the final. This also gives you some flexibility if you experience delays during the journey. If you are travelling through France, you may want to allow several days for the outward journey.
🎟️ Book Early for the Champions League Final
Demand for travel can rise sharply once the finalists are known. Ferry crossings that work particularly well with the match dates could become busy. The same applies to hotels and other accommodation in Madrid. If you already know you intend to travel regardless of which teams reach the final, booking earlier may give you more choice. However, always check cancellation and amendment conditions before committing to your plans.
⚠️ Before You Travel
International road trips require more planning than simply boarding a ferry. Before leaving the UK, check:
- Passport requirements
- European driving rules
- Vehicle documentation
- Travel insurance
- Breakdown cover
- Ferry check-in times
- Spanish road regulations
- Parking arrangements in Madrid
You should also check the latest advice from your ferry operator before departure.
FAQ
Travelling to Madrid by ferry involves a little more planning than flying. Here are some common questions to consider when organising your trip.
⚽ Make the Journey Part of the Final
The Champions League Final is one of the biggest nights in European football. Travelling by ferry gives you the opportunity to turn the match into something more than a quick flight to Madrid. Sail directly to northern Spain and continue by car, or create a longer European road trip through France. Whichever option you choose, planning early gives you more time to organise the right route for your trip.