Massive Victory Parade Draws Tens of Thousands Near Eiffel Tower as Authorities Detain Hundreds Across France
PARIS | June 1, 2026
Thousands of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters gathered peacefully near the Eiffel Tower on Sunday to celebrate the club’s historic UEFA Champions League triumph, a day after violent clashes across France led to hundreds of arrests and dozens of injuries.
French authorities confirmed that celebrations following PSG’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in the Champions League final were overshadowed by overnight unrest in several cities. Despite the disturbances, Sunday’s official victory parade and fan events proceeded under heavy security.
According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, a total of 780 people were detained across France, including 480 in the Paris region. The violence left 57 police officers injured, although most sustained minor wounds.
“The situation has been largely brought under control,” Nuñez told reporters on Sunday, noting that the majority of celebrations in the French capital remained peaceful.
Thousands Celebrate PSG’s European Glory
Fans poured into the streets of Paris shortly after the final whistle on Saturday night, celebrating PSG’s second UEFA Champions League title. Supporters gathered around iconic landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees, waving flags, setting off flares and sounding car horns.
Authorities estimated that around 20,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysees alone, prompting a significant police deployment to manage crowds and prevent further disturbances.
The official victory celebration at the Champ de Mars, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, attracted up to 100,000 supporters. The event was conducted under strict security measures as authorities sought to avoid a repeat of the previous night’s unrest.
PSG players, led by captain Marquinhos, head coach Luis Enrique and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, received a hero’s welcome upon returning from Budapest. Fans cheered as players proudly lifted the Champions League trophy before the packed crowd.
Macron Condemns Violence
Following the public celebrations, the PSG squad was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
While congratulating the team on its achievement, Macron strongly condemned the violence that accompanied the celebrations.
“I don’t want that we get used to it. This is not soccer, this is not sport, this is not what we love,” Macron said. “We will be uncompromising with those who have been caught. We do not want to see this happen again.”
The French president called for an end to recurring post-match violence and urged supporters to celebrate responsibly.
Arrests, Injuries and Property Damage
Authorities reported incidents in approximately 15 cities across France. While most disturbances were relatively limited outside Paris, several shops were vandalised and public property damaged.
Police said smaller groups set fire to rubbish bins, self-service bicycles and vehicles in different parts of Paris. Some individuals allegedly attempted to storm a police station in the city’s affluent 8th arrondissement before being dispersed by security forces.
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that 306 individuals, including 81 minors, were formally placed in police custody. Alleged offences ranged from assaulting police officers to vandalism, theft and disturbing public order.
In a separate incident, a vehicle crashed into a restaurant terrace after the driver reportedly lost control, injuring two people, one of them seriously.
Security Measures Prevent Larger Disruptions
Nuñez said police intervened several times overnight to prevent attempts to block major roads surrounding Paris. Authorities credited the extensive security presence with preventing more serious incidents during Sunday’s celebrations.
Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire praised the conduct of the vast majority of supporters.
“The overwhelming majority of Parisians celebrated with joy, unity and respect,” he said, while strongly condemning acts of violence and vandalism.
A Familiar Challenge for French Authorities
The unrest follows similar incidents after PSG’s first Champions League title victory in 2025, when more than 500 arrests were made nationwide and over 200 people were injured in celebrations across the French capital.
French authorities now face renewed questions over crowd management and public safety during major sporting celebrations, even as PSG supporters continue to revel in one of the club’s greatest achievements on the European stage.
