Aston Villa’s Europa League victory parade takes place in Birmingham on Thursday 21 May: here is everything you need to know to be part of a historic day for the city.
- The parade begins on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter at approximately 4:30pm
- The route covers 4.5km taking in Sand Pits, Broad Street, and Centenary Square
- Three open-top buses will carry the squad, staff and media with a trophy lift as the centrepiece moment
- The parade will be broadcast live on VillaTV, YouTube and across the club’s social media channels
The route: 4.5km through the heart of Birmingham
Thursday’s victory parade begins on Branston Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter at approximately 4:30pm and covers a route of approximately 4.5km through the city centre. From Branston Street, the convoy will travel through Sand Pits, along Broad Street, and into Centenary Square, the final destination for one of the most significant public celebrations Birmingham has witnessed in decades.
The parade is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes from start to finish. Screens will be positioned at intervals throughout the entire route, meaning there is no single location where supporters must gather. The club’s specific advice is to spread out and find a spot anywhere along the route, the view of the players will be equally excellent at every point, and spreading out will ensure the event runs safely and smoothly for everyone in attendance.
What to expect. Three buses and a trophy lift
The parade will feature three open-top buses in convoy. The lead bus, dressed in blue, will carry media. The second bus, dressed in claret, will carry the players. The third bus, also in blue, will carry coaching and club staff. For supporters specifically wanting to spot the squad, the claret bus is the one to watch for.
The centrepiece moment of the entire parade will be a trophy lift, creating a moment the club and the city will never forget. Opportunities for supporters to engage directly with the squad will also be available at intervals throughout the route, making this an intimate and genuinely special occasion rather than simply a distant procession.
Why Thursday: the timing explained
Villa explored the possibility of recreating the iconic 1982 European Cup celebrations at Victoria Square and considered a stage in Centenary Square for greater fan engagement. Both proposals were ultimately ruled out due to ongoing construction works, safety concerns, and advice from authorities about overcrowding risks. The club fully respects those decisions, supporter safety is the absolute priority.
Thursday 21 May was identified as the only viable date given several competing factors. The squad returns from Istanbul on Thursday morning and will undertake a full training session on Friday before travelling to Manchester on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s final Premier League fixture against Manchester City. Birmingham Pride takes place in the city centre on Monday 25 May. Several players are due to report to international squads ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Thursday was the only window that worked for everyone.
Travel advice: leave the car at home
Birmingham City Council will implement significant temporary road closures and parking suspensions across the city centre from approximately 10am until 10pm on Thursday. The following roads will be subject to closures: Branston Street, Hall Street, Warstone Lane, Frederick Street, Albion Street, Powell Street, Summer Hill Road, Sand Pits, Clement Street, St Vincent Street, Sheepcote Street, Grosvenor Street West, Ryland Street, Broad Street, and Centenary Square.
Off-street car parks along the route will also be closed from 10am. The club strongly advises supporters not to drive to the event, public transport is the recommended option for all attending. Allow significant extra time for travel both to and from the parade given the scale of expected attendance.
Can’t attend? Watch it live online
For supporters who made the journey to Istanbul and may not be back in Birmingham in time or for those unable to attend in person for any reason, the parade will be broadcast live on VillaTV, YouTube, and across all of the club’s official social media channels. No supporter needs to miss the moment the trophy is lifted in the heart of Birmingham.
