Wigan & Leigh to Play a Part in Delivering Record-Breaking Uefa Women’s Euro 2022
- Over 700,000 tickets available for the biggest women’s European sport event ever
- Tickets priced from £5 - £50, with over half a million tickets priced at £25 or less
- 13 July 2021 marks first chance to get tickets for fans that pre-register at UEFA.com/womenseuro/ticketing
- Final draw show takes place on 28 October 2021 live on BBC
- Legacy will see 10,000 more girls regularly playing football in school by 2024
- 40 FA-qualified female referees and 40 female coaches will be recruited to support representation within the game
With all 16 teams now confirmed for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, a major ticketing roadmap and legacy programme has been unveiled to illustrate how a record-breaking tournament that has the power to inspire the next generation of players and fans, will be delivered on home soil.
With over 700,000 tickets available across the 10 venues in nine host cities, an unprecedented number of fans will be able to experience the biggest women’s European sport event ever from 6 - 31 July 2022. Leigh Sports Village will welcome its first Group C fixture to coincide with Matchday 1 on Saturday 9 July 2022, which will be an opportunity to welcome the stadium’s first international women’s match. The stadium will then host Matchday 2 on Wednesday 13 July before hosting its final Group Stage fixture for Matchday 3 on Sunday 17 July 2022. The ground will open its doors for its final match on Friday 22 July 2022, when the third Quarter-Final will feature the winner of Group C and runner up of Group D.
Next summer’s celebration of football sees tickets ranging from £5 to £50, with over half a million tickets available for £25 or less, ensuring the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 is an accessible event for all. The tournament will see a family of four [two adults and two children] able to watch some of the World’s best players from just £30. With over 90% of England’s population within two hours of a game, the tournament will truly belong to everyone and allow fans from all areas the chance to play their part in what will hopefully be a record-breaking summer for the women’s game.
The first chance supporters will have to apply for tickets is on 13 July 2021, via the Pre-Sale, presented by Visa. To ensure this priority access, fans can register their interest now at UEFA.com/womenseuro/ticketing.
Together with UEFA, as a nation and host a clear ambition is held to deliver the biggest women’s football event in UEFA history, which is used to inspire long-term, sustainable positive change in women’s and girls’ football. The nine Host Cities and 10 match venues are all playing a vital role in establishing the continued growth of women’s and girls’ football in England and, as next summer gets closer, the Host Cities are also united in the ambition to provide a blueprint for future UEFA Women’s EURO tournaments.
As part of their legacy Wigan & Leigh will increase the number of schools delivering girls’ football within - and beyond - the curriculum through Girls’ Football School Partnerships. Clear and accessible opportunities and programmes will be launched, to support women and girls playing recreational football where and how they wish. In addition, the number of coaches and referees supporting women’s and girls’ football across the borough will be transformed.
These pledges will lead to 10,000 more girls regularly playing football in school by 2024, with an increase in the number of Wildcats providers from four to 15 by 2024. Furthermore, to support the growth in representation within officiating the game, 40 FA-qualified female referees and 40 female coaches will be recruited by 2024.
As a collective legacy, the programme shared today sets out the plans across the nine Host Cities to 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. Find out more about how the tournament will help drive positive change within girls and women’s football at www.TheFA.com/WEURO2022/legacy.
Iain Kay, Head of Participation and Development, Lancashire FA, said: “The Women's EURO’s will be a great focal point for the long term development of Women and Girls football in Wigan & Leigh and across Lancashire, as Legacy Leads for the borough we have clear focus on creating further opportunities within the following themes – Education, Workforce and Recreation. Over the next three years there will be more opportunities to drive female participation across these themes be it as a player, coach, volunteer or official. Furthermore this is an opportunity for those with a passion for football to come experience Women’s International Football in Wigan & Leigh, Leigh Sports Village is fantastic venue to host such a prestigious event and I have no doubt once the games have commenced there will be a real atmosphere in and around the ground and across Wigan & Leigh.”
Councillor David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be a showpiece event, creating a long-lasting legacy with young people across the borough inspired by some of the world’s best female athletes.
Over the last few years it has been fantastic to play a part in Manchester United women’s success by hosting home games at LSV, and hosting matches in this international tournament will only add to the momentum of the women’s game. These high-profile games give us the opportunity to inspire and empower women and girls. We want to ensure that new teams and facilities are created and lots more girls are encouraged to take part.”
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 wellbeing hugely affected by the pandemic. The tournament and the legacy we hope to instil 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.”
Chris Bryant, Head of Tournament Delivery, The FA, added: “We are aware of the huge opportunity we have to grow the women’s game here and across Europe. To have that legacy, we must ensure we first deliver a record-breaking tournament that captures the imagination, to provide those vital foundations. It is an exciting time as UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 really starts to take shape now, with the Pre-Sale, presented by Visa for tickets in July 2021. With 10 venues, nine host cities and over 700,000 tickets available there is a real opportunity for people to play their part in creating a special tournament with incredible footballing talent on display. With 16 of the best European Nations competing across 31 matches, we want to see full stadiums, generating an incredible atmosphere, so be sure to register for the Pre-Sale, presented by Visa so you don’t miss out on getting tickets.”
Nadine Kessler, UEFA Chief of Women’s Football, said: “Today marks another important moment in the build-up to what will be the biggest UEFA Women’s EURO ever and ground-breaking from start to finish. A moment that is there to draw attention to two strategically fundamental topics, ticketing and legacy.
Priorities we need to get right, and we will get right. We are going to fill stadia, sell out matches, fans are going to come from all over England, the whole UK, Europe and beyond. And when we have achieved this, we have left the impression that was needed to amplify the efforts that have already gone into leaving a legacy in England and beyond.”
The legacy, for all of us, won’t stop with the final whistle at Wembley stadium on 31 July 2022. I am delighted to see that The FA has found great partners for their legacy programme and are treating this topic with a long-term vision to bring women into the game and provide environments they can thrive in. This Women’s EURO needs to become a benchmark and we all have our role to play in it. There is a unique chance to make a difference to our sport, at a critical time. So, let’s make it happen.”
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 at UEFA.com/womenseuro/ticketing. 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.