Wembley to host Euro 2020 final
Kris Voakes
Sep 19, 2014 12:11:43
The iconic stadium in London will be used for the semi-finals and final of the tournament, with Munich and St Petersburg among the venues in the earlier rounds
Wembley Stadium has been chosen to host the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020, Uefa has announced.
The London venue pipped Munich’s Allianz Arena to secure the finals package which formed part of the bidding process for the pan-European tournament.
National associations were welcomed to submit bids for either a standard package comprising three group games and a round of 16 or quarter-final fixture, or for the finals package.
Only Wembley and the Allianz Arena were put forward for the semi-final and final, and the success for the English FA means that the tournament decider l will be held in London for the first time since the original Wembley Stadium hosted the 1996 showpiece.
English FA chairman Greg Dyke met the news with joy, telling thefa.com: "I am delighted Wembley Stadium and London have been awarded the right to stage the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020.
“It will be a great honour to be part of what will surely be a superb celebration of 60 years of the Uefa European Championship.
“My thanks go to all our partners in the bid – particularly the government, Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London – and of course to Uefa president Michel Platini and the Uefa Executive Committee.”
It is understood that an agreement was reached between Germany and England that if Wembley was chosen as host for the 2020 final, the FA would not challenge for the 2024 finals tournament for which Germany is a clear favourite to host.
Munich, Baku, St Petersburg and Rome were chosen to each host three group stage fixtures and a quarter-final. Meanwhile, three group games and a round of 16 match will take place in Copenhagen, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Dublin, Bilbao, Budapest, Brussels and Glasgow.
The 2020 finals will mark the first occasion on which the European Championship has been held in more than two countries. The change from tradition is the brainchild of Uefa president Michel Platini, and has been arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the continental tournament.
