Ahead of Newcastle's upcoming playoff match against Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League, there is plenty of trepidation in the air amongst Geordies about safety in Baku.
While plenty is known about certain cities in Europe when it comes to football violence and hooligan culture, Baku is still an unknown, which, in many ways, makes it a scarier prospect.
If you are worried about what Azerbaijan might be like, then our guide below should have all the answers you need
Is Baku safe for travelling football fans?
General safety
Generally speaking, Baku is a safe city for all tourists, not just football fans. The crime levels in the city are low when compared to other European capital cities, and there is a strong culture of respecting visitors from the local community.
At the same time, as guests, it is up to all visiting supporters to respect the local culture and treat the authorities and local community with respect. If you don't, then there may be conflict, but this is no different to anywhere else in the world.
Previous incidents
The most significant incident in Baku in terms of football fan violence was before the Europa League final in 2019. Ironically, the match was contested between two English teams (Chelsea and Arsenal), and the fighting was between fans of both clubs.
Two fans have been injured in confrontations ahead of the Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 29, 2019
Alcohol laws
Alcohol is widely available in Baku in bars, restaurants, pubs, and shops. It is quite common to see people drinking in the city, but that doesn't mean that football fans should go over there and take it to the extreme. Again, it's all about respect.
Football fans will be unable to buy alcohol inside the Tofiq Bahramov Respublika Stadionu, where Qarabag play their home matches in European competitions. So, if you want a drink, make sure you enjoy a couple before you head to the stadium.
Political landscape
Azerbaijan is currently run by an ‘authoritarian' regime led by Ilham Aliyev, who has been the president since 2003. There have been accusations of election rigging, and in the latest election in 2024, Aliyev won with 92% of the vote.
The police are known to be heavy-handed, so visitors should keep their wits about them.