' ITS ALL HAPPENING IN CARDIFF THIS WEEK '
Everything you need to know about the ' FREE ' festival surrounding the UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff -
By Nathan Bevan
Monday 29th May 2017
The UEFA Champions League final is taking place in Cardiff next weekend, with thousands of fans from all over the world gearing up to descend Welsh capital for some top sporting action.
But did you know there'll also be four days of free entertainment in Cardiff Bay to coincide with the tournament?
From UEFA ambassador Ian Rush taking to the floating pitch in Cardiff Bay to unveil the trophy -
Where is it?
The main focus of the Champions Festival will be in the Roald Dahl Plass, in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff Bay, where there'll be a main stage featuring live music until 11pm every evening. There'll also be the UEFA Champions League Trophy Experience, where visitors can have their picture taken with the famous trophy.
The other main attraction is the Ultimate Champions Pitch - which you'll find floating on the waters of Cardiff Bay just in front of the Senedd.
That'll host the UEFA Ultimate Champions match on Friday, and there'll also be opportunities for visitors to test out their skills on the pitch.
Elsewhere in the area, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts the UEFA Champions Gallery - an exhibition of pictures from the history of the European Cup, while over near the Norwegian Church is the UEFA Football Skills Zone, including the Ball in the Bay Free Kick challenge.
Standing over the whole area will be a giant Champions League trophy.
The changing face of Cardiff for the Champions League Final
When's it all happening?
The Champions Gallery will opened by Welsh football stars Ian Rush and Jayne Ludlow on Wednesday night, but the Festival opens in earnest on Thursday, June 1 at 11am, when Rush will arrive by boat at the floating pitch with the Champions League trophy.
That'll kick off four days of live music, starting with Cor Glanaethwy, Only Boys Aloud and Cerys Matthews on Thursday, plus daily displays from the Football Freestylers.
The main attraction on the pitch will the Ultimate Champions Match on Thursday from 4pm to 6pm, but there'll be activity out on the pontoon throughout the four-day event It's expected some world famous names from the world of football will be announced to take part in the Champions Match the next couple of days.
What other activities will there be?
All of the Champions League sponsors will have stands at the festival, many running competitions and challenges for visitors.
As well as the official Adidas fan shop, BT Sport will offer budding footballers the chance to recreate Steve McManaman's famous goal for Real Madrid from the 2000 final, while Gazprom will be giving away two tickets for Saturday's final.
Heineken is hosting a Bus Bar, while there'll be a chance to top the leaderboard for PlayStation's latest games.
Nissan will host the Champions League trophy in a special photobooth, while visitors should head to the Pepsi Max Fan House for an immersive VR football game, table football.
Can I watch the final there?
The Champions League final won't be screened at the Champions Festival.
Main Attractions*
Thursday June 1
Cor Glanaethwy (15:30-16:30)
Only Boys Aloud (18:30-19:30)
Mike Peters & Lucy Morgan's String Quartet (20:00-21:00)
Tenors of Rock (21:30-23:00)
Friday June 2
Ultimate Champions Match (16:00-18:00)
Afro Cluster (18:00-18:45)
The Dominoes (19:15-20:00)
Special Guest (TBC)
Saturday June 3
The Dominos (13:30-14:30)
KONAMI Pro Evolution Soccer Finals (15:00-16:00)
DJ Huw Stephens (16:00-17:00)
Sunday June 4
Ska'd for life - 2Rude
2 Rude (12:00-13:00)
We're No Heroes (13:30-14:30)
Captain Accident (14:45-15:30)
Funk Street (16:00-17:00)
*all times subject to change
Football Fixtures
Thursday June 1
Festival opening ceremony/trophy arrival (10.30am - 10.45am)
UEFA Social Responsibility football (11am - 1pm)
Together #WePlayStrong launch event (1pm-2pm)
FAW girls U16 match (2pm-3pm)
FAW disability B-band adult match (2pm-3pm)
FAW disability A-band adult match (3pm-4pm)
UEFA Social Responsibility football (8pm-9pm)
Free play session (9pm-11pm)
Friday June 2
Adidas Young Champions Tournament (11am-3.30pm)
Ultimate Champions Match (featuring a variety of past UEFA Champions League stars) (4pm-6pm)
UEFA Social Responsibility football (8pm-9pm)
Free play session (9pm-11pm)
Saturday June 3
FAW Male Walking Football (11am-12.05pm)
FAW Male adult (12pm- 1pm)
FAW Female adult (1pm-2pm)
UEFA Social Responsibility football (4pm-5pm)
Sunday June 4
FAW Male Walking Football (11am-12.05pm)
FAW Male adult (12pm- 1pm)
FAW Female adult (1pm-2pm)
UEFA Social Responsibility football (4pm-5pm)
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