Final at Lake Wörthersee

30,000 fans: Police prepare for Cup final

A large contingent of police officers will also be keeping an eye on the soccer fans this year.(Bild: Evelyn Hronek/Kamerawerk)

Here we go again! Just like last year, 30,000 fans from Graz and Vienna will once again make the pilgrimage to Klagenfurt for the Cup final on May 1st. The preparations of the local executive are in full swing!

It was confirmed on Thursday evening: SK Sturm Graz and Rapid Vienna will once again duel for the ÖFB Cup title in this year's ÖFB Cup at the "28 Black Arena" on Lake Wörthersee. And it's not just the fans who have been following the semi-final matches with excitement, but also the executive team. "Preparations have been underway for weeks. But the concrete planning naturally depends on the participating clubs," says Dominik Sodamin from the Carinthia Police Department.

In a final duel between Red Bull Salzburg and DSV Leoben, the organizers and security forces would probably be a little more relaxed. However, it can be assumed that there will be another summit meeting of 30,000 hot-blooded fans at the Wörthersee. Last year, around 1,000 officers from all over Austria were deployed in Klagenfurt - from Cobra, WEGA, the police unit and service dogs to helicopters and drones.

As the final pairing is being repeated this year, we can also draw on our experience from last year.

Dominik Sodamin, Pressesprecher der LPD Kärnten

The fact that there are just under four weeks to go until the major event does not worry those responsible: "The conditions are 1:1 the same as in 2023 - so we can draw on our experience. And last year's operation was completely peaceful. There were only a few reports," explains Sodamin. It is still unclear whether there will be fan marches - neither side has registered any so far.

Final stimulates tourism
It's not just the police who are preparing for the fans. Klagenfurt's tourism businesses are also gearing up for the top sporting event around the public holiday and the extended weekend. "We already have a very good booking situation," says Helmut Micheler from Klagenfurt Tourismus.