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Movistar Arena fills up to watch España in the Mundial final
Madrid will have another major meeting point this Sunday to experience the Mundial final. Movistar Arena will open its doors so that 15,000 people can watch España's match on a giant screen, with free entry and a celebratory atmosphere from before kick-off.
The response from supporters has been immediate. The 15,000 free tickets sold out in just an hour and a half, a sign of the enormous interest sparked by a final that could lead the Spanish national team to win its second World Cup.
The venue will open at 19:30, an hour and a half before the match, scheduled for 21:00. The wait will be enlivened by live music from DJ Nano, who will set the mood on a night designed to be experienced as more than a sports broadcast.
The initiative joins the screens already planned at other points in Madrid, such as Colón square and Madrid Río. The difference is that Movistar Arena offers a covered space, with large capacity and services typical of a venue accustomed to major concerts and mass events.
For those who secured a ticket, the recommendation will be to arrive with time to spare. Although access is guaranteed for ticket holders, a World Cup final brings many people together at once and can cause queues, security checks, crowding on public transport and a great deal of activity around Goya and Felipe II.
The final will be played on Sunday 19 July at 21:00 in New York-New Jersey. Spain arrives after eliminating France 2-0 in the semi-finals and awaits the winner between England and Argentina, in a match that will complete the line-up for a historic night.
The plan will also have an impact on the city. Bars, terraces, public transport, squares and giant screens will bring together thousands of people, with Madrid becoming, for a few hours, a large fan zone spread across different neighbourhoods.
The occasion leaves a clear image of how major finals are experienced today: it is no longer enough to watch the match at home. Madrid is seeking shared spaces, huge screens, music and a stadium atmosphere to turn a night of football into an urban celebration, even before knowing whether the cup will end up in Spain's hands.