Over 40,000 Manchester United and Chelsea fans are expected to descend on Moscow for tomorrow's all-English Champions League final while thousands more will be watching at home.

The Russian authorities have relaxed visa restrictions to facilitate the supporters, allowing people into the country for 72 hours if they provide a match ticket, passport and completed immigration card. Anyone over-staying the 72-hour entry period will have to pay the fee for a regular visa when leaving.

But with no direct flights from Belfast and only a handful of expensive scheduled flights from cities like London, Manchester or Dublin, getting to the final has not been easy.

Among the Manchester United exodus from Northern Ireland is football fanatic Jackie Smyth who is booked on to the first flight from Dublin tomorrow morning.

The Belfast man and his pals have forked out almost £1,500 to attend the final but, if they win, he said it will be worth every penny.

"The flight was £950, the hotel was £112 and the ticket was £170. It is very expensive. I would like the flight to get over in time to visit Red Square — just to say I was there.

"I think the game will be very, very tight. I can't see too many goals — probably one goal either way — and I'm obviously hoping it's 1-0 to Man Utd.

"I am excited. There has been a big build-up. We are trying to make our arrangements about getting buses and taxis and making sure everything is organised in getting from the hotel to the match. Fortunately our hotel is laying on free buses to take fans to and from the stadium — which takes a bit of the pressure off.

"I was in Barcelona in 1999 when United scored all their goals in injury time so it can't be as nerve wracking as that."

Another Manchester United fan heading to the Luzhniki Stadium is Lyle Richardson. The Bangor businessman said organising everything for the trip had been an ordeal.

"It has been a real nightmare — price wise and getting the flights and the tickets.

"I tried going through Old Trafford, when I came back from Barcelona I phoned them straight away but they were looking £929 through their official tour operator for one day — no accommodation or anything. They wanted £1,299 for a two-night stay. So we decided to go our own way."

Mr Richardson also noted that confusion over the visas was another added stress.

"It's worth it to see United lifting the cup.

"It's okay for me, I am a businessman and I can afford to go but for the ordinary supporter who goes week in week out, they can't afford it because all in it's about £1,500. That's the same price as a two-week holiday for the family."

Ticketless fans hoping to travel to Manchester from Northern Ireland were left disappointed after the council scrapped plans to show the match on big screens when Rangers supporters went on the rampage. Trouble flared after a TV screen broke down and the unrest continued for about five hours.

John White, branch secretary of the George Best Carryduff Manchester United Supporters Club, said a special barbecue was being laid on at the Belfast Boat Club.

He said specially printed commemorative T-shirts and flags would also be produced to mark the night.

"I don't care who plays or who scores — just as long as we win," he said.

On the Chelsea side Gavin Early, secretary of the North West Chelsea Supporters' Club, is hoping for a 1-0 win.

He has booked two days off work and will be joining his fellow Chelsea fans at Felix's bar in Strabane where they will watch the match on big screens.

The Seagate Technology worker said fans had been put off travelling to Moscow because of the price and distant location.

"We talked about going to Moscow but logistically it would be a nightmare. We had looked at a route flying into Latvia or Lithuania and then getting the train down but the time factor was a big thing — it would mean having to take about five days off work which isn't easy.

"If United were playing anybody else I would say they would have the advantage. But we seem to get under their skin a bit so I'm hoping it will be 1-0."

Banbridge blues fan Graham Topping also said the logistical difficulties and expense had hindered the number of people going to the game.

He said: "I am not going and I don't know anyone who is going to Moscow. There doesn't seem to be a lot of excitement about going over.

"With a bit of luck, I imagine we would win but I don't really know what to expect."

Thousands of football supporters will watch the game in bars across the province.

One of the most popular is Belfast's Botanic Inn, where staff are expected crowds of up to 1,000 from both sides.