Paris in celebration mode after PSG claims back-to-back UCL titles

The air over Paris still crackled with anticipation hours after the final whistle in Budapest. When the decisive penalty sailed into the net, the city erupted in a symphony of joy, fireworks, and smoke. Saturday night on the Grands Boulevards and Champs-Élysées became a theater of celebration and controlled chaos following PSG’s victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final.

From jubilation to confrontation

The moment Gonçalo Ramos converted the first penalty, fans didn’t just cheer—they set off flares and fireworks. The roar of the crowd, chanting “Sa-fo-nov,” echoed through the boulevards even before Gabriel’s winning kick. Bars overflowed with supporters glued to screens, their hopes carried on every kick.

The elation turned tense when a Brazilian player’s miss sent shockwaves through the crowd. Pandemonium erupted as tear gas from nearby riot police stung eyes and sent panicked fans scrambling for cover. The dynamic of celebration shifted rapidly: from spontaneous revelry to tense standoffs between supporters and law enforcement.

131 arrests: a quieter night compared to 2025

The festivities spilled into the Champs-Élysées, where police presence was heavy. Despite extensive bag checks, fireworks continued to light up the sky, launched by revelers defying the odds. Chants like “After so many years” and “And Ousmane Ballon d’Or” pulsed through the crowd, only to be silenced by advancing riot squads dispersing gatherings with gas canisters in hand.

By 11 p.m., authorities reported 131 arrests and one injured police officer. The number of detentions was far lower than the previous year, when 559 people were arrested after PSG’s win over Inter Milan. A veteran riot officer near Rue du Colisée noted, “There’s less chaos this time. But it’s not over yet—let’s see how things unfold.”

Fans reflect on a historic double

As daylight faded, the heat—peaking at 37°C—only seemed to fuel the energy. Benji, a long-time PSG fan, reflected, “There was less stress this time. We’ve lived through this before.” From honking horns on Rue La Boétie to the Champs-Élysées littered with spent fireworks, the physical traces of the celebration were undeniable. Yet, the lingering presence of 20 police vehicles on Boulevard Montmartre at 11 p.m. underscored the fragility of peace in the aftermath.

A city united in triumph

Paris had never seen anything like it—not since the 2018 World Cup final. Hours before kickoff, crowds swelled in the stifling heat, draped in PSG colors. Conversations everywhere revolved around the match, from debates among elders in Ivry about whether to head out or stay home: “I’m watching at home. No way I’m ending up in a holding cell for no reason!”

The availability of fireworks and mortars, even advertised on Snapchat, hinted at a night of planned revelry. By late evening, as one old man rubbed his tear-gas irritated eyes while walking up Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, he turned to a neighbor and guessed, “I suppose PSG won.” No guesswork needed.