Croatia v Spain, UEFA Nations League at Poljud

Kick-off is at 20:45 on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Advance tickets cost 30 euros behind the goals, 55 euros on the west and east stands and 65 euros in their middle sectors, on sale from Friday 18 September at 13:00 online and from 15:00 at six Petrol stations around Split and Šibenik; 5 euros more on match day if any remain. Every ticket is delivered in the HNS mobile app, the buyer must be a Croatian citizen and may buy four, and the companions can be of any nationality. Poljud is a 25 to 30 minute walk north of the Riva; the streets around the stadium are closed to cars on match evenings.

Getting to Split and the stadium

Split airport is at Kaštela, about 25 km west of the city, and direct flights from the UK and much of Europe still operate in early October. The airport shuttle bus takes you to the main bus station beside the ferry port, a 5 minute walk from the Riva. Coaches from Zagreb, Zadar and Dubrovnik arrive at the same station, and the railway station is next to it, though the train from Zagreb is slow. If you drive, park at your accommodation or in a public garage and leave the car there for the evening: parking near the stadium fills long before kick-off. The city buses of Promet Split stop next to the ground, and the walking route from the centre is up Zrinsko-Frankopanska street.

Where to stay

The old town in and around Diocletian's Palace is the practical base: everything is on foot and the stadium lies in the same direction as the Archaeological Museum. Varoš, the old quarter west of the palace, has apartments in stone houses and is quieter at night. Bačvice, east of the harbour, suits families who want the beach in the morning and a bus or taxi to Poljud in the evening. The Poljud district itself is residential with little accommodation. A home match against the world champions fills the city, and from 28 September the ferries to Brač, Hvar and Šolta run winter timetables with the last boats gone well before the final whistle. Sleep in Split, and book early.

The days around the match

Come for the weekend before if you can. On Saturday 3 October the Mrdujska regata sends the sailing fleet out of Split harbour, around the islet of Mrduja and back, and you can watch the start from the breakwater without a boat. On match day the Archaeological Museum lies on the way to the stadium, 10 minutes' walk north of the palace, with a lapidarium of Salona inscriptions that fills 90 minutes well. The Croatian Maritime Museum in the Gripe fortress is a quiet hour that pairs naturally with an evening at Poljud. See the stadium in daylight too: the shell roof by Boris Magaš was built for the 1979 Mediterranean Games, and the Hajduk club museum is inside.

• Peristyle and the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, shortest queue in the morning
• Vidilica on Marjan, 100 steps up from Varoš, coffee with the harbour below
• Gregory of Nin at the Golden Gate, rub the toe like everyone else
• Pazar market at the Silver Gate, liveliest between 07:00 and 11:00
• Klis Fortress, 20 minutes by bus or car, best in the hour before sunset

Where to eat before kick-off

Eat early. With an evening kick-off and a walk north through the city, a table at 18:00 in the old town or Varoš leaves time to spare. Varoš has konobas in its stone lanes with grilled fish and Dalmatian dishes at a slower pace than the Riva, and one street back from the promenade prices drop a step. For a quick lunch, the Pazar by the Silver Gate sells cheese, prosciutto, figs and bread in the morning. The Poljud district has few restaurants, so eat in the centre and walk up afterwards. After the final whistle, Matejuška at the west end of the Riva is where Split goes for a late drink on the pier.

Practical notes for match night

Your ticket lives on your phone, so charge it fully, carry a power bank and bring the ID that matches the name on the ticket. A child without a phone enters with a parent who holds both tickets in one app. Early October has an average daytime high of about 21 degrees, but an open stadium after dark is cooler and the wind can pick up, so bring a jacket. Autumn storms happen: on 11 September 2026 the city took 77 litres of rain in an hour, so check the forecast and pack a waterproof layer, an umbrella is awkward in the stands. Croatia uses the euro and cards work almost everywhere, but keep some cash for the market and kiosks.