Sevilla has been turned into a high-security fortress as thousands of fans descend on the city for the Copa del Rey final.
The Policia Nacional have deployed everything from drones and helicopters to armed tactical units on rooftops.
Footage shared by the force reveals the sheer scale of the operation, which is being coordinated in real time from a central command hub as Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad supporters flood into the Andalucian capital.
One local resident told the Spanish Eye: ‘It’s absolute carnage, no one is going out tonight just to stay safe.
‘The city centre has been trashed by boozing fans and so many tourists have been filmed peeing everywhere, and there have already been clashes on the Triana bridge.’
A total of 1,617 National Police officers have been mobilised, alongside 679 Guardia Civil agents and 230 Local Police officers.
Eyes in the sky
Authorities have taken surveillance to another level, with one helicopter and five drones monitoring the city from above.
Aerial images show packed streets around the cathedral and historic centre, with police tracking crowd movements live to prevent flashpoints between rival fans.
Officers say the airborne units are ‘fundamental’ in coordinating ground teams and ensuring rapid responses to any incidents.
The nerve centre running the show
At the heart of the operation is the CECOR command centre, where multiple screens stream live footage from across Sevilla.
From here, officers direct specialist units including riot police (UIP), prevention units (UPR) and mounted divisions, using real-time intelligence to manage crowd flows and identify potential risks before they escalate.
The system allows police to react instantly – whether it’s redirecting fans, breaking up crowds or responding to incidents on the ground.
Armed units on standby
Security has also been stepped up around the stadium itself, with elite GEO officers deployed in strategic positions, including rooftops overlooking key access points.
Images show heavily armed officers scanning the crowd, underlining the zero-tolerance approach to violence following concerns over clashes between ultra groups.
Three security rings around the stadium
The Estadio de La Cartuja is surrounded by three separate security perimeters, designed to filter fans and prevent disorder before it reaches the ground.
Supporters have been split by team:
– Atletico Madrid fans entering from the north (gates E, F, G, H)
– Real Sociedad supporters from the south (gates A, B, C, D)
Police have repeatedly urged fans to follow instructions to keep the event running smoothly.
A city on alert
Despite the high police presence, the atmosphere across Sevilla has largely remained festive, with officers even sharing lighter moments – including a police horse being decorated in Atletico colours by fans.
But behind the scenes, the operation remains intense.
With thousands in the streets, rival fan groups in the city and recent seizures of weapons and protective gear from ultras, authorities are leaving nothing to chance.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
