LIONESSES PREPARE TO ROAR

In fewer than 500 days the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament will kick off in London – on July 7, 2021. England’s Lionesses will soon be joining the other 15 nations, playing 31 matches at venues countrywide, including three at our very own Brighton & Hove Community Stadium. The first match will be held here on July 12 2021, with others on July 16 and 21, giving fans an opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest players in action.

Following the hugely successful Women’s World Cup last year, it’s anticipated that hundreds of thousands of fans will attend this tournament, and millions more will be glued to their screens worldwide. Brighton and Hove’s stadium was chosen following a successful bid by Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton & Hove Albion FC and the Sussex County Football Association.

Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: “Everyone at the football club is hugely excited to have the chance to host the 2021 European Championships. Our commitment to women’s and girls’ football is increasing all the time, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming some of the continent’s finest teams to our stadium.”

Sussex County FA chief executive Ken Benham added: “With the countdown underway, excitement builds and we’re just as excited at the Sussex County FA. This is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase what passionate football people we have in this country. We hope everyone will be out in force to welcome the competition and enjoy having the world’s finest playing on our doorstep.”

Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the council’s tourism, development and culture committee, said: “It’s exciting to have begun the countdown to what will undoubtedly be one of the city’s greatest ever sporting events. We’re proud to be hosting this prestigious tournament and look forward to the once in a lifetime opportunities it will bring for our residents and visitors.”

As a major hosting venue, Brighton and Hove ready has an impressive array of sporting events under its belt, including the Rugby World Cup in 2015, stage seven of the Tour of Britain bike race in 2014 and, of course, the annual Brighton Marathon, which is the UK’s largest marathon outside London.

The 2021 UEFA Women’s final will be staged at Wembley Stadium on August 1. England last staged this event in 2005. As one of only eight host cities, Brighton and Hove has lined up volunteering opportunities and a slew of fan events in the run-up to and during the tournament. As well as this there is a legacy programme, to improve access and participation for girls in the sport when the final whistle blows.

Ticket registration and applications to be part of UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 volunteer programme opened on 23rd February this year.