FAW SUBMIT CARDIFF BID FOR EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday April 26th 2014

The Football Association of Wales [FAW] is delighted to confirm that it has submitted a bid for Cardiff to be chosen as one of the 13 host cities for the 2020 European Football Championships (“EURO 2020”).

Cardiff’s 74,154 capacity Millennium Stadium - an award winning UEFA category 5 stadium - is at the heart of the FAW’s bid to secure a package of matches consisting of three group games plus either a last 16 or a quarter final match. The FAW’s bid has the full support of a host of key stakeholders including the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff & Bristol Airports, and the key rail & bus operators.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW said:

“The FAW is thrilled to submit its UEFA EURO 2020 bid and we believe that we have a strong and compelling proposition. The Millennium Stadium, with a capacity of almost 75,000 as well as 100 hospitality boxes, would generate a significant financial contribution for UEFA.

“In terms of transport, our bid is supported by both Cardiff and Bristol airports who have signed service level agreements outlining their delivery of UEFA’s EURO 2020 tournament requirements. Both airports are able to operate 24 hours a day and are easily accessible from Cardiff city centre. By 2020, rail links to London will be down to just 90 minutes and when you also consider Birmingham, the FAW is able to offer four international airports within two hours of Cardiff, thus providing UEFA and all UEFA EURO 2020 spectators with multiple airport options to choose from.

“All UEFA EURO 2020 ticket holders will also benefit from free travel on buses and trains including the transport connections linking Cardiff city centre with both Cardiff and Bristol airports. We have a strong accommodation plan with the majority of UEFA’s own accommodation requirements located within walking distance of the Millennium Stadium. Through working with our numerous accommodation partners, the FAW is also able to offer UEFA EURO 2020 spectators with a choice of 41,000 beds, all located within an hour of Cardiff and in locations covered by the FAW’s free travel offer.”

Jonathan Ford added that legacy is an important focus of the bid plans, saying:

“In order to help ensure a lasting positive impact from hosting this prestigious tournament, the FAW will create a UEFA EURO 2020 Legacy Fund, into which the FAW will reinvest the surplus it generates from staging UEFA EURO 2020. This legacy fund will be used to support grass roots Welsh football and will have a positive impact on communities throughout Wales.”

Welsh International and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale added:

“This could be the beginning of a great period for Welsh international football. I believe we have a real opportunity of qualifying for the 2016 European Championship Finals in France. It would then be an unbelievable experience to play in the 2020 European Championship finals in my home city of Cardiff.

“I have been fortunate to play in some of the world’s greatest stadia but nothing matches the atmosphere and passion generated by the Millennium Stadium. These are exciting times for Welsh football and I’m really proud to offer my full support to the FAW’s UEFA EURO 2020 bid.”

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said:

“I am delighted to support the FAW’s bid to stage the UEFA EURO 2020 Championships.
Wales has a proven track record in delivering, for event owners and to the world, successful, high profile sporting events. Organisers of the Rugby World Cup, the Ashes test match, the Ryder Cup and Olympic football fixtures have all found us to be a responsive and welcoming host nation of the highest calibre.

“Anyone who has experienced Cardiff, in particular, on a match or event day will know how our great capital city comes alive as a fan-friendly and exciting visitor zone. By working together, Team Wales can help deliver a safe, secure and truly exceptional event.”

Roger Lewis, Group Chief Executive of Welsh Rugby Union said:

“The Millennium Stadium would be honoured to welcome the UEFA EURO 2020 Championships to Wales. To ensure we provide UEFA with a venue worthy of such a great event we are investing significantly in the Stadium and the surrounding area, with the assistance of the Welsh Government and Cardiff City Council.

“We will install a new DESSO pitch this summer which together with our unrivalled fully-retractable roofing system will guarantee the best possible playing surface. Add to this our significant seating and hospitality capacity, the unique city centre location and that we will have the very latest plug and play broadcast technology and I believe the Millennium Stadium provides UEFA with the perfect venue for EURO 2020."

Councillor Phil Bale, Leader of Cardiff Council added:

“From previous experience we know that hosting major sporting events can deliver a significant positive economic impact to the region. Conservative estimates have shown the region would benefit from an economic impact of around £42m should Cardiff be chosen as one of the 13 Host Cities for UEFA EURO 2020 and in staging this prestigious tournament, the city of Cardiff would also be broadcast to a worldwide audience.

“The City of Cardiff Council has a demonstrable track record of working closely with event organisers to successfully deliver high profile events within the Welsh capital and we fully support the FAW’s bid to bring EURO 2020 matches to Cardiff.

“Cardiff enjoys an enviable reputation as the event capital and we are ready to welcome the European football family and show our wonderful Welsh hospitality.”

Cardiff get everything

Platini said a year ago that Cardiff wasn't suitable due to the infrastructure and lack of hotel rooms.

Platini said a year ago that Cardiff wasn't suitable due to the infrastructure and lack of hotel rooms.

hotels, that's all there seems to be in cardiff.

I hope we do get it, would be great to see a QF in Cardiff.

Plenty of hotels when you consider whats about across a ten mile radius.

I think we'll get a place.

FAW must be putting something into our supercup final preparations, as it must all help with painting a good picture of Cardiff.

Would love to see this happen, think of the money and jobs it will bring to our capital!

Our bid falls down on the usual issues of transportation. The Welsh FA know they have an issue with Cardiff Airport which is why they are also pressing usage of Bristol Airport.

If you read the UEFA requirements even the location a of the stadium is a concern.

The Millennium Stadium has always been bigged up because of its city centre location but the UEFA criteria wants something more like Wembley with massive car parks surrounding the Stadium.

The biggest concern is still the transportations between the airport(s) and the city centre. UEFA require links to be able to handle around 16,000 attendees using air transport based on a 50k stadium.

That said UEFA have produced a 198 page document that reads like they are the most important people in the world and expect an exacting level if you want them to grace us with their presence.

I have attended a few meetings in Europe over the last few years when this proposal was first put forward including two in Switzerland with Platini and the heads of UEFA. They specifically want countries that would never have a chance of hosting a final on their own to be given a chance of becoming a host, and Wales has an excellent chance of being chosen.
Forget the countries that have hosted world cups or European tournaments and then compare who we are competing against, I would suggest Scotland and Ireland are our biggest threats although it is possible that all three could be hosts.
The FAW has put a very good package together and I honestly believe we have as good a chance as any other nation.

Corky please tell me our bid includes a fan zone in the back gardens of the castle. Would look fantastic.

Well if we do get accepted, a fan zone would be part of the package and in use throughout the tournament. I was in Poland during the Euros and the fan zones were amazing, open 16 hours a day, live groups and acts on the stage and all games on massive screens within the fan zone.
Loads of food and drink outlets and fantastic atmosphere, it would probably be in Coopers field though but in truth I have no idea.

Just found out that Bute Park (behind the Castle) is being put forward as the fan zone.

Fan zone in Warsaw could hold 100,000 people, it was free to enter and everyone was searched on entry.

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Hope this comes off. I'd love to see a few games. A QF would be an immense occasion. As long as they build some hotels in the area there should be no question. Shame the club didn't go ahead and build that hotel on site really.


Great news on he fan zone though

Surely theres concerns of the mill stad pitch. Ripped up terribly during the olympics.

The stadium is having a brand new desso pitch ,the same as we have at our stadium