Over 80,000 fans of Manchester United and Tottenham are expected to descend on Bilbao for this year's Europa League final next week, with the city's residents braced for an invasion the likes of which they have 'never faced' before, according to reports in Spain.
The two Premier League sides booked their spot in the final following impressive wins against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt respectively, and will look to salvage their seasons at San Mames after less than impressive league showings.
Ange Postecoglou's side currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings, with Ruben Amorim's players just one spot above them in 16th place.
But both sides have an opportunity to seize a place in next season's Champions League cohort despite missing out on top-five status in Bilbao, with fans clamouring for tickets to take in the occasion.
However, the road to securing both a ticket and a bed to sleep in on the night of May 21 continues to be exceptionally challenging, with fans set to pay thousands for travel and accommodation.
Despite the obstacles, scores of British fans will make the journey, with El Correo suggesting that Man United and Spurs fans are set to 'colonise' the Basque city.
As per the Spanish outlet, at least half of the fans making the journey to Bilbao will likely arrive without a ticket, with Joseba Goirigolzarri, the president of three-to-five-star hotel union Destino Bilbao suggesting that British fans will 'negotiate with sponsors, federations, and specialized travel agencies and explore every possible avenue to gain entry to San Mames'.
Other voices interviewed in the report, such as Hector Sanchez who manages the Bizkaia Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHB) has stressed that 'the volume of people this match will attract is unique.
'We've never faced anything like this in the city.'
However, the influx is likely to be welcomed by the city's hoteliers, vendors, and restauranteurs, with one hospitality business owner delighted by the two teams that have made it to the final.
'They have high purchasing power, and are bigger spenders and drinkers than others,' said Felix Parte.
Whether that remains the case after expenses have been paid for the journey to and from the coastal city remains to be seen, with Mail Sport reporting on Friday morning after confirmation of the final that the cheapest flight to get from London to Bilbao on May 21 would run Spurs fans a whopping £355 for a one-way ticket.
At the time of writing, a return flight leaving London Gatwick on May 21 and returning on May 22 starts at £668, as per Skyscanner.
In the aftermath of Thursday's fixtures, fans may have spotted a more cost-effective method of travel and booked an £108 one-way coach - but the 26-hour journey time and fixed London departure may not appeal to the majority of travelling fans.
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Other supporters may be making the journey by car, but could still face just under £200-worth of costs, with journeying through the pricey Channel Tunnel the only fastest route available.
When in Bilbao, the city is likely to be overflowing, with El Correo citing the hotel industry's ability to sleep just 15,000 people in their 5,000 hotel rooms.
Prices for rooms of any kind have soared in the countdown to next Wednesday's tournament crescendo, with almost every hotel in the city reportedly sold out, and those available priced some way above their regular value.
The report notes that increases have climbed as high as seven-fold in both Bilbao and neighbouring towns, with one hotel, Letoh Letoh, offering an economy room without breakfast for £2,795 via Booking.com.
Airbnbs or private rooms for rent are no cheaper, with El Correo finding one room in a shared apartment available near San Mames for over £841 (€1,000) with eight days to go until the final.
Bilbao's hospitality industry could also be hit with challenges from the city as they seek to police the final, with the newspaper reporting that a meeting at the AHB on Monday failed to offer clarity over whether the security plan will allow for businesses around San Mames to stay open.
Restaurants have been closed in the build-up to Athletic Club's last three home matches, and those working in the vicinity of the final are keen not to miss out on what could be a bumper day's trade.
'The Ertzaintza (city's) police arrive without any prior warning, ask us to evacuate customers, and then immediately prevent others from entering. In practical terms, for us, it's like being closed,' one source told the outlet.
Meanwhile, the outlet also confirmed the location of the two fan zones for the tie, with Tottenham's located in the south of the city, in Parque Ametzola.
Manchester United fans will be housed in the Parque Etxebarria, on the east side of Bilbao.