Seville steps up security ahead of Spain-Croatia Nations League match

The southern Spanish city of Seville is preparing an extensive security and organizational plan ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Nations League match between Spain and Croatia at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. Kick-off is at 8:45 p.m.

The match will be Spain's first home game since winning the World Cup two months ago in the United States.

More than 600 members of the National Police, Civil Guard, traffic police and Seville municipal police will take part in the security operation, along with around 450 private security personnel and other support staff, local news portal Diario Avanza reported.

The Nations League group-stage match has been designated a high-risk event by Spain's State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport.

The operational plan was coordinated at a meeting chaired by Francisco Toscano, the Spanish government's deputy representative in Seville.

"The match has been declared a high-risk event. Therefore, we also appeal to fans to act responsibly: arrive on time, preferably use public transport, and follow the instructions of police officers," Toscano said.

Increased security around stadium and fan areas

Enhanced surveillance will be in place before, during and after the match, particularly at designated fan gathering points, the hotels where the national teams are staying and the area surrounding the stadium.

The stadium gates will open at 7:15 p.m., 90 minutes before kick-off. The Sánchez-Pizjuán has a capacity of 43,200 spectators, with tickets nearly sold out. Croatia's supporters have been allocated 2,100 tickets.

All tickets will be digital and sent to buyers 48 hours before the match as an additional security measure.

The Spanish national team will fly to Seville on Monday and leave immediately after the game. Croatia plans to arrive 48 hours before the match and return home on the afternoon of September 30.

The Spanish Football Federation will also set up a free fan zone at Plaza de España. It will feature a stage, an official merchandise store, music, a 3-on-3 football pitch for children, a trophy exhibition, sponsor stands, a photo exhibition and various games.

The fan zone will be open on September 28 and 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Traffic restrictions and additional public transport

Traffic and parking around the Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium will be restricted on match day. Police will begin closing roads in the early afternoon, at least three hours before kick-off.

Vehicles with authorization will be allowed to access the area around the stadium until one hour before the match.

Around 30 municipal police officers will also step up enforcement against illegal street vending, monitoring authorized sales and intervening against unauthorized vendors near the stadium.

More than 60 traffic police officers will oversee the movement of the two national teams' buses and help manage traffic for fans arriving in Seville by road.

The Seville Metro will increase services for the match and extend operating hours by one hour compared with a normal day. The last trains will leave the terminal stations, Olivar de Quintos and Ciudad Expo, at midnight.

From 5:50 p.m., capacity will be increased by around 40 percent through the use of double-unit trains.

Security staffing at metro stations will also be reinforced. Eleven security guards will be on duty in the morning, increasing to 14 in the afternoon and evening. Around kick-off, an additional seven security personnel will be deployed at Nervión and Gran Plaza stations, the two stations closest to the stadium.

Additional medical resources

Special medical arrangements have also been made for the match.

Organizers have engaged around 30 medical professionals and three ambulances. They will be supported by the stadium's patient stabilization unit and additional personnel from the Andalusian Health Service assigned specifically to the event.