Atlético supporters stay vocal for the full ninety minutes. The south section of the home end drives the singing, and the atmosphere builds steadily rather than arriving in isolated bursts. For a first-time visitor, the collective intensity can be striking, especially for bigger home fixtures. Pre-match, fans gather in the bars around the ground and in the city centre well before kick-off, and the atmosphere away from the stadium is part of the experience. Arrive at the ground at least an hour before the start, as security checks are thorough and queues grow in the final half-hour. Large bags are generally not allowed inside, and checks are routine.