Tonight’s match between Albania and Belarus at the “Air Albania” stadium will be accompanied by road closures and increased security measures. According to the official announcement from the State Police, traffic restrictions begin at 17:00 and remain in place until the end of the match, while fans will undergo detailed checks before entering the stadium.
Roads affected by the restrictions
According to police, the measures will be implemented in cooperation with the Tirana Municipal Police, with the stated aim of guaranteeing order and easing movement near the stadium.
From 17:00 until the end of the match, “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard will be closed, from the “Laguna” fast-food outlet near the bridge by the former Hotel Dajti, “Lekë Dukagjini” street near the former Republican Guard, as well as “Abdyl Frashëri” street near the Libri Universitar intersection.
Also, at “Willson” Square, traffic will be diverted toward “Sami Frashëri” street shortly before the end of the match. According to the official version, Elbasani Road, the Ring Road and “Bajram Curri” Boulevard will remain open to vehicle traffic.
Detailed checks at the stadium entrance
Police have warned of thorough checks on fans before entry into “Air Albania”. According to the announcement, the focus of these checks will be items considered dangerous or inappropriate for a sporting event with high attendance.
Among the items that will not be allowed are banners with racist content, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnic materials, metal coins, umbrellas, lighters, mobile phone chargers, tools or products for cosmetic use, as well as other hard objects that could endanger participants.
Arrival time for fans
In the official announcement, fans are asked to present themselves at the stadium entrances starting from 18:30. According to police, the heavy flow close to kick-off could prevent some ticket holders from entering on time.
The Albania-Belarus match is scheduled to start at 20:45 and is expected to bring increased congestion to central Tirana for several hours.
Police speak of an expanded measures plan
The State Police say they have deployed hundreds of officers to manage order before, during and after the match. According to police, the plan is based on previous experience in organizing international events.
Authorities present this as an operation for public safety and the avoidance of incidents, while residents and drivers are expected to face specific movement restrictions in the area around the stadium.
For drivers moving around Tirana during the evening, the most immediate impact remains the diversions and closures near “Air Albania”.
For fans, arriving at the stadium earlier appears to be the practical condition for avoiding delays usually caused by increased security checks.