If you were planning to head down to Santa Cruz’s World Cup fan zone at the last minute, you were out of luck.
The giant screening area set up at the city’s port reached its maximum capacity of 10,000 people well before kick-off, prompting the Local Police to close all access points for safety reasons.
It was another clear sign of just how much excitement surrounded the final, with thousands of football fans turning out to watch the match together.
Access closed before kick-off
The fan zone, located on the same site that previously hosted the Cook Music Fest, filled up earlier than organisers had anticipated.
Once the venue reached its approved limit, police officers stopped any further entry to ensure the event could continue safely.
Officials also urged anyone who had not already entered the venue not to travel to the port, as no additional spectators would be allowed inside.
Safety came first
The decision to close the entrances was taken purely to protect those already inside the venue.
Managing a crowd of 10,000 people requires careful planning, and keeping attendance within the authorised limit helps emergency services and event staff respond quickly if needed.
The Local Police thanked the public for their cooperation and understanding as the restrictions were put in place.
Football fever in Tenerife
Large public screenings have become increasingly popular across Tenerife whenever Spain reaches the latter stages of major tournaments.
Watching a match alongside thousands of fellow supporters creates an atmosphere that’s difficult to match at home, and judging by the turnout in Santa Cruz, football continues to bring people together in a big way.
The fact that the venue filled before the match even began says everything about the level of enthusiasm for the occasion.