The Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played on Friday, May 17 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Friday.
The final had originally been pencilled in for Saturday of that weekend, but television company TVE, who hold the rights to show the final, had asked for the date to be changed to avoid a clash with the Eurovision song contest, which also brings in huge ratings for the broadcaster.
And with a number of league games also taking place on Sunday, May 19, it was decided that Friday night would be the best option so as not to clash with those fixtures.
Initially Real had asked for the final to be played at Barcelona's Camp Nou, due to its 98,000 capacity, whilst Atletico had hoped to play at their own Vicente Calderon stadium, which holds 55,000.
However, it was decided that with both clubs from the capital taking part, Madrid was the most sensible location and by playing at the Bernabeu -- the home of Real -- some 30,000 more fans will be able to attend.
It will be the fifth time that Real and Atleti have met in the final, with Atleti currently holding the upper hand having won three of the previous meetings to Real's one.
Source: AFP
