download All Football App

Hungary host Portugal today in front of rare 61,000 capacity crowd

  /  autty

Do not adjust your sets. Anyone tuning in to see Hungary take on Portugal in Euro 2020 will be confronted by the rare thrill of a capacity sporting crowd.

No computer trickery, no holograms, no artificial soundtrack, just the fabulous Puskas Arena playing host to 61,000 football supporters as Cristiano Ronaldo and the European champions launch the defence of their title against the home nation in Budapest.

The Hungarian FA have taken the decision to pack their national stadium for its four Euro 2020 fixtures based upon their Government's ambitious vaccination programme.

An estimated 5.3 million out of a population of 9.8 million had been vaccinated by the start of Euro 2020 on June 11.

Viktor Orban, Hungary's right-wing populist Prime Minister, defied the European Union to make use of vaccines available from Russia and China and accelerated the release of national lockdown regulations.

Whether or not you agree with his politics it has generated a buzz in the capital as they welcome the stars of Portugal, the European champions, followed by France, the world champions, in the eye-wateringly tough Group F.

A surge in Covid-19 cases earlier this year pushed Hungary's death toll for the pandemic close to 30,000 - one of the world's highest per capita mortality rates - but Orban, an avid football fan, has claimed the vaccine will provide a 'bulletproof vest'.

He has loosened restrictions ahead of the Euros, particularly for Hungarians carrying the national immunity card, issued by the Government to those vaccinated or recovered from the virus and with antibodies to fight it.

Anyone with proof of immunity can attend indoor meetings, eat inside at a restaurant or visit theatres, cinemas and museums.

Opening hours have been relaxed and extended until 11pm and an overnight curfew pushed back until midnight.

Hungarians entering the Puskas Arena to see any of its four games at Euro 2020 will have to wear a wristband, which they can collect by showing their national immunity card prior the game.

Under 18s are exempt if accompanied by an adult with an immunity card.

International fans must provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of kick-off or proof of full vaccination from a country with a reciprocal agreement with Hungary. PCR tests are available at the stadium for a cost of about £50.

Temperature checks remain in place at the gates and tickets holders have to arrive in their allocated 30-minute window, and advice remains in place to wear a mask, sanitise hands regularly, keep 1.5 metres apart, and avoid contact or unnecessary movement with the stadium.

The Puskas Arena, opened in November 2019, played host to some Champions League and Europa League fixtures forced onto neutral territory by conflicting quarantine rules last season.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all appeared there behind closed doors.

European champions Portugal are the visitors as Hungary host their first ever match in a major finals.

Still to come: Hungary against France, and France against Portugal before a last-16 tie featuring the winners of Group C, Holland's group.