On Friday night, tens of thousands of Manchester City supporters occupied the streets of the city’s center while yelling football chants and lighting flares.
Hundreds of fans had spilled out into the busy Nevizade street outside as fans flocked to the bars along this street.
Walking down the little bit of space left on the roadway, pedestrians must navigate the chanting and flares.
The city is buzzing, and thousands of Inter Milan supporters are gathered in Taksim Square nearby.
Even while the atmosphere is joyful the night before the final, some supporters are worried they won’t be able to get to the stadium on Saturday after Liverpool fans were left stranded outside of the final in Paris last year.
Before the match versus Real Madrid, Liverpool supporters were confined to the perimeter walls of the Stade de France stadium and were afterwards tear-gassed by French police.
UEFA was judged to have “primary responsibility” for what nearly resulted in a “mass fatality catastrophe” by an independent inquiry that was completed in February.
UEFA has recommended supporters to arrive to the stadium with “plenty of time” to spare this season.
By automobile, it takes around an hour to get from the square to the stadium, while the exact amount of time depends on traffic.
From 1pm, nine hours before kickoff, free shuttle buses will take supporters there from Taksim Square.
Will Hustler, 28, of Denton, Tameside, admitted that the trip had him “a little bit” anxious.
“Because I’ve seen things about getting there nine hours early,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s lies or if they’re trying to get everyone there, I don’t know. I’m a bit nervous.”
Mr Hustler said he was not too bothered about the stadium not selling alcohol.
“We can have a drink around here afterwards anyway,” he said.
Born in Manchester, Brian Tilley, 50, presently resides in Crawley in south London.
After hearing about Liverpool fans’ experience at the final in Paris the year before, he declared he would allow himself “plenty of time” to arrive at the stadium.
“I’m going to go over there with plenty of time after last year’s experience,” Mr Tilley said.
“I’m going to get there early, there’s a fan park nearby so I’ll go in the afternoon.”
He added: “I know that a lot of fans that were in (Paris) struggled to get near the grounds”.
Jack Garmory, from Walkden in Greater Manchester, praised the “brilliant atmosphere” in Istanbul after arriving on Thursday with “no issues”.
“We flew direct… absolutely no issues, got here yesterday evening and the place is brilliant, locals really welcoming, food and beer great,” said the 27-year-old, who works in recruitment.
“The atmosphere last night was brilliant and late into the night, City will be packing out the area again today with everyone that came today.
“There hasn’t been any clashes yet, everyone seems in good spirits from both sides and hopefully will continue that way tonight and tomorrow.
Of the upcoming final, Mr Garmory added: “I’m feeling relatively confident, never know with these games so some nerves but we’re the best team in England and after beating Bayern and Real Madrid we will hopefully get the job done.
“There will always be some concerns (about security)… last year was horrible and I know Liverpool fans (who were) stuck in it but hopefully with the ground being a bit more out of the way and having to get there early because of traffic we should be okay.”
