Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final should have been a unifying moment across the club after Mikel Arteta’s side reached their first European final in 20 years. Instead, frustration has emerged behind the scenes after non-working staff members were told they would need to pay £859, approximately $1,151, for chartered travel packages to attend the final in Budapest against Paris Saint-Germain. The situation has reportedly left several employees angry and disappointed, particularly because PSG have taken the opposite approach by covering both tickets and travel costs for their staff.
Staff anger grows over travel costs to Budapest
According to a report by the Telegraph, multiple Arsenal employees were left dismayed by the cost of the chartered flight packages organised for the Champions League final on May 30. All members of staff not working at the final have been offered one non-transferable match ticket for the showdown against PSG at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. However, while the ticket itself is complimentary, staff attending the match are expected to cover their own travel costs.
Arsenal organised the travel arrangements through third-party operator SportsBreaks, with the package costing £859 ($1,151) per person. Employees were reportedly informed: “Space permitting, colleagues attending the final can opt to purchase a seat on these flights.” The outbound charter leaves London Luton Airport early on the day of the final before returning immediately after the match. Employees can make alternative travel arrangements independently, but that option becomes complicated because many staff members may still need to return to London quickly for a potential trophy parade scheduled for May 31 if Arsenal defeat PSG.
Some staff members are also expected to work during the parade itself, further restricting their flexibility around travel.
PSG take very different approach for their employees
The contrast with PSG’s handling of the final has become one of the main reasons behind the frustration among Arsenal employees. After defeating Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, PSG informed staff they would receive both free tickets and free travel to Budapest. The French club reportedly adopted the same approach for last season’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, which PSG went on to win.
In a letter sent to PSG employees earlier this month, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wrote: “Last year, many of you had the opportunity to be in Munich to support the team during the European final. It was a powerful moment that perfectly embodied the unity and sense of belonging that define our club. “In that same spirit, it was important to me that all employees should once again have the opportunity to be part of this final stage of our European journey. We would like to invite all staff members to join the team in Budapest for this exceptional occasion.”
According to the Telegraph report, Arsenal did not directly set the price of the travel package themselves, and staff representatives were consulted regarding the arrangements. The club is also offering complimentary tickets for an Emirates Stadium screening of the final for employees who either cannot or choose not to travel to Hungary.
Arsenal balancing logistics amid historic European run
Arsenal have attempted to maximise ticket availability for supporters after being allocated 16,824 general admission tickets by UEFA for the final. The club’s latest financial accounts showed Arsenal employed 871 staff members in the year ending May 31, 2025. Those same accounts revealed Arsenal posted record revenues of £691 million, although the club still recorded an overall loss of £1.4 million.
Their Champions League campaign this season has already reportedly earned the club around £120 million in prize money and related revenue, with another £9 million available if Arteta’s side defeat PSG in Budapest. The final itself will cap a remarkable European campaign for Arsenal after they eliminated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Following that victory, Mikel Arteta described the occasion as one of the most emotional nights of his managerial career. “It’s an incredible night,” Arteta said after the semi-final win. “We made history again together. I cannot be happier and prouder of everyone involved in this football club. “The atmosphere that our supporters created, the energy, the way they lived every ball with us, it made it special and unique. I never felt that in the stadium. “After 20 years and for the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
