The UEFA Women’s EURO tournament, which arrives in Brighton & Hove next summer will leave a lasting legacy with thousands more women and girls, of all ages and abilities, participating in the ‘beautiful game.’
That’s the promise from the tournament organisers UEFA, who are working with Sussex FA, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brighton & Hove City Council to grow the women’s game and encourage active participation.
The legacy programme, being launched today (19 May), sets ambitious targets to increase the numbers of girls and women playing, refereeing and coaching women’s football across the country and in Brighton & Hove.
Alongside the legacy launch, UEFA has also released details of tournament ticket prices and release dates.
The Brighton & Hove Community Stadium will welcome its first Group A fixture on Monday 11 July 2022 - an opportunity to surpass the 20,076 attendance recorded for a June 2019 friendly between England and New Zealand.
The stadium will then host Matchday 3, on Friday 15 July 2022, ahead of its final fixture, the first quarter-final between the winners of Group A and runners-up of Group B on Wednesday 20 July 2022.
Ticket prices range from £5 to £50, and a family of four (two adults and two children) will be able to watch some of the world’s best players from just £30.
To maximise this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to grow the women’s game and inspire the next generation of fans, each host city has produced its own legacy progamme.
As part of its legacy Brighton & Hove will:
This will lead to:
Councillor Martin Osborne, joint chair of the Tourism Economy, Communities & Culture Committee, said: “Hosting this prestigious tournament in Brighton & Hove will provide us with a fantastic platform to raise the profile of women’s football in the city and encourage many more girls and women to get involved.
“This legacy programme, and the opportunities it will bring, has the potential to not only increase participation, but improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of women and girls across the city.”
Sussex FA Project Manager and Legacy lead, Paul Saunders, added: "Hosting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 provides the opportunity to create a legacy plan to increase the number of women and girls from all backgrounds playing football in schools, clubs and casually. The plan also supports the female game through recruitment and development of coaches and referees from across the county."
Read Brighton & Hove's legacy programme here.
As a collective legacy, the nine host cities will deliver 500,000 new football opportunities to engage women and girls by 2024.
This will result in 120,000 more girls playing in schools and clubs and 20,000 women playing for fun and friendship.
In addition, 300 newly FA-qualified female coaches will double the number currently involved across the host cities, with 350 new FA-qualified female referees officiating to ensure increased female participation in all areas of the game.
Baroness Sue Campbell, EURO 2022 Board Member and Director of Women’s Football, The FA, said: “It has been a challenging year in so many ways, with mental and physical well-being hugely affected by the pandemic.
"The tournament and the legacy we hope to instill is a very real opportunity to positively change the impact restrictions have had on activity levels, but also the togetherness football gives us regardless of our role within the sport.
"The long-term legacy ambitions will unlock the game for more women and girls across host cities and beyond with equal access for all girls to play football in school, alongside a diverse workforce of coaches, referees and local leaders delivering, and organising, football for their communities.
"Our vision will ensure inclusive, safe and welcoming environments for every woman and girl to play competitive or recreational grassroots football - irrespective of ability, age or ambition.
"This ambitious legacy programme could not be possible without the ongoing commitment of our host cities, councils and supporting organisations and I would like to thank them for all their hard work to date.”
The pre-sale, presented by Visa, will run from 13 July until 10 August 2021.
As part of the Pre-Sale, Visa cardholders will be given the opportunity to be among the first to purchase their tickets for the tournament, alongside fans that pre-register now
The public ballot will open following the draw which takes place on 28 October 2021 live on BBC, with tickets going on general sale from mid-February 2022.
Although all are planning for full stadiums in summer 2022, a robust refund policy will be in place if fixtures are postponed, cancelled, have reduced capacity or a change of venue is introduced due to COVID.
A ticket resale platform will be available in 2022 for ticket holders to use and re-sell their tickets at face value pre-tournament to another fan. More will be communicated in the coming months.
