Paris erupts in celebration and clashes after PSG claims second Champions League title

Paris transformed into a cauldron of jubilation and tension Saturday night as supporters of Paris Saint-Germain took to the streets to celebrate the club’s historic back-to-back victory in the Champions League final against Arsenal. The 1-1 draw (4-3 on penalties) in Budapest triggered wild scenes along the Grands Boulevards and Champs-Élysées, where fireworks, chants, and confrontations with police marked the evening.

From ecstatic crowds to tense stand-offs

The atmosphere was electric long before the final whistle, with tens of thousands of fans filling the scorching streets of Paris. As the match unfolded, the crowds—many packed into bars with eyes glued to screens—reacted in real time to each penalty kick. The decisive moment came when Brazilian midfielder Gabriel missed his attempt, prompting an eruption of emotion that quickly turned chaotic.

Police forces responded swiftly, deploying tear gas to disperse revellers who scrambled to shield their faces. The confrontation marked the beginning of a cat-and-mouse game between supporters and law enforcement, with sporadic clashes erupting as the night wore on.

131 arrests: a quieter night compared to last year

By midnight, police reported 131 arrests and one officer injured—a stark contrast to the 559 arrests recorded during last year’s final victory over Inter Milan. While tensions persisted, the overall situation remained more controlled, though not without its share of disturbances.

«There were fewer incidents this time, sure, but it’s not over yet. We’ll have to wait and see how things develop,» commented a riot police officer near Rue du Colisée, his voice hoarse from the evening’s exertions.

A city alive with fireworks and defiance

The celebrations were punctuated by fireworks and the occasional burst of pyrotechnics, despite heavy police presence and bag checks at key locations. Crowds gathered in spontaneous groups, singing the club’s recent anthems—«After so many years» and «And Ousmane Ballon d’Or»—before being dispersed by charging CRS units. The Champs-Élysées, normally bustling with traffic, became a no-go zone for vehicles, with the air thick with the acrid smell of smoke and tear gas.

By Sunday morning, the streets bore the marks of the festivities: spent fireworks, empty bottles, and the occasional abandoned shoe. Yet the mood among supporters remained buoyant. «I watched it at home. No way I’m ending up in custody for celebrating,» joked an older fan in Ivry, raising a glass to the new double champions.

A historic night for French football

Never since France’s 2018 World Cup triumph had Paris witnessed such a footballing frenzy. The streets, bathed in the glow of PSG’s blue and red, echoed with chants of «Sa-fo-nov, Sa-fo-nov!»—a refrain that became synonymous with the club’s European redemption. As the night drew to a close, an elderly man wiping tears from his eyes turned to his neighbour and remarked, «I suppose PSG won.» The answer, of course, was obvious.