A popular North London pub has been forced to tell Arsenal fans not to travel down after it sold out tickets for the Champions League final earlier than planned, as huge queues of supporters snaked around the block in sweltering heat.
The Tollington, located in Holloway, had initially intended to start selling tickets for Saturday's final against Paris Saint-Germain at 4:30pm on Tuesday. However, fans began queuing from early morning, prompting the pub to begin sales earlier to those already waiting. Even as London experienced record-breaking temperatures, the queue grew longer, leading to a swift sellout.
Taking to X, the official The Tollington account posted: "FOLKS!! Due to the amount of people queuing since early this morning and the hot weather, we are selling these people their tickets earlier. We are now SOLD OUT! Please do not come down and try to purchase tickets, we do not want to disappoint anyone." Earlier, they had advised fans not to "take time off work or travel in special circumstances" for tickets, as they expected them to sell out within minutes.
Fans React to the Queue
Videos of the long queue drew shocked and humorous reactions on social media. One user wrote: "One of the most well known Arsenal pubs in London having a queue for a ticket to watch the Champions League final is far from insane. There’s an expectation of one million plus people to come to the parade. Stadium viewing won’t scratch the surface. Multiple huge venues throughout the city already sold out too."
Arsenal's Triumphant Season
The excitement comes after Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years, following a victory on Sunday, May 24. Fans had already packed The Tollington for that match, boosting the pub's already high popularity. The title win sparked wild celebrations, with tens of thousands gathering at the Emirates Stadium on May 19 and May 24. Police made 17 arrests on May 24 but noted that most of the evening "passed without incident."
As the Champions League final approaches, demand for screening tickets remains intense across London, with many venues already sold out. The Tollington's early sellout underscores the fervor surrounding Arsenal's historic season.
