After a memorable summer during the men’s Euros 2021, our all-female household is looking forward to another record breaking summer for the Women’s Euros 2022 but for us it will be particularly poignant.
For my family and I, it was memorable for the wrong reasons as I missed most of the men’s Euros last year as I was too poorly in hospital which I was gutted about but most of all I missed my daughters. My body may have been in turmoil but most of all my mind had been through isolation and sheer grief over not seeing my kids.
So to be invited along to help kick off the roadshow in the run-up to the Women’s Euros 2022 and to be there with my daughters meant a great deal.
All about the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow kicked off on 21 May, a free national Roadshow that which showcases the best of football, fitness and music, providing families, fans and those that are yet to experience football with the opportunity to get involved in an unmissable tournament.
- Route spans 800 miles with 10 stops across 43 days
- Special festival of football, fitness and music gives the opportunity for families and local communities to get involved in an unmissable event
- Featuring interactive challenges, an immersive TV studio, live music, trophy visit, showpiece football pitch and legend appearances
- The tournament kicks off at Old Trafford on 6 July with the final at Wembley Stadium on 31 July
You couldn’t miss the fact that something exciting was happening with the silver sphere water fountain being transformed into a football as we approached Sheffield’s Peace Gardens.
There were camera crews, a live TV studio, VAR practice stations, live football skills workshops, an opportunity to take part in a keepy upper challenge which my daughter was thrilled to have been placed on the leader board in and a stage with live entertainment.
It was a really positive and inclusive atmosphere with inspirational people involved from female referees locally to a surprise appearance from Gareth Southgate and Alex Scott who were filming Football Focus live.
We played, danced with mascots and had photos with some of the stars. Having our faces painted was the icing on top of the family-friendly festival of a day.
Seeing so many women of all ages get involved and of course men too was truly important to show that sport really can bring people together.
We are definitely planning on watching the #WEURO2022 live!
You can buy tickets here: https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing/
All about the free national roadshows:
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 are hosting a free national Roadshow that showcases the best of football, fitness and music, providing families, fans and those that are yet to experience football with the opportunity to get involved in an unmissable tournament.
The family and local community-focused Roadshow will travel 800 miles, making 10 stops across 43 days, beginning on 21 May in Sheffield and finishing on 2 July in London – just a few days before the tournament’s opening match at Old Trafford.
As the Women’s EURO draws closer, organisers are aiming to inspire more communities, particularly young people and families, to encourage them to get involved in the biggest European women’s sport event in history.
The schedule includes visiting each of the tournament’s nine Host Cities, Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh, where fans will be able to watch some of the best players in the world compete at a local stadium. The additional tenth stop will be at Elland Road, Leeds ahead of England Women’s friendly against Netherlands on 24 June.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow (*times 11am – 5pm unless stated otherwise)
- Sheffield | Peace Gardens | 21 May
- Rotherham | Clifton Park | 22 May
- Manchester | Cathedral Gardens | 28 May
- Trafford | Trafford Centre | 30, 31 May and 1 June
- Wigan | Mesnes Park | 4 June [*11am – 4pm]
- Milton Keynes | Willen Lake | 5 June
- Southampton | West Quay Shopping Centre | 18 June
- Leeds | Elland Road | 24 June
- Brighton | Hove Promenade | 25 June
- London | Potters Field | 2 July [*10am – 4pm]
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow, supported by the BBC, demonstrates the scale and importance of this summer’s event and is part of a wider drive to introduce new fans to the women’s game to create a lasting legacy for women’s football – a key focus for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
The free Roadshows will offer visitors an introduction to football, with a chance to learn new football skills and tricks as well as try matchday presenting and interviewing in a special TV studio. Featuring live music from local artists and a showpiece football pitch, alongside the opportunity to get a picture with the trophy itself, each event will provide a variety of fun for all the family.
Additionally, there will be lots of exciting opportunities to meet legends from the women’s game, take part in interactive challenges and find out more about getting involved in grassroots football, the tournament, and how to purchase tickets.
All Roadshow events are supported by Nike, Starling Bank and VISA. Visit the ‘Skill Zones’ arena to show off your tricks with balls and bibs provided by Nike. Visit the Starling Bank ‘Show Your Colours’ container to discover an artistic area where there will be murals to colour in, a chance to design your own shirts, footballs and flags and have your face painted. Stop by VISA’s Ticketing Booth to sign up for tickets, win prizes, and have your photo taken with the VISA trophy.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Tournament Director, Chris Bryant said: “The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow is a huge part of our commitment in ensuring that everyone can feel connected to this special tournament.
As we head towards the opening match in Trafford, excitement across the country is growing, so it’s great to be able to provide an opportunity for communities to join each other in supporting their local area and celebrating the women’s game.
We want to appeal to everyone, whether that be your regular football fan, or someone that has never given it a go before! Each Roadshow event will offer a chance to learn about the tournament in a fun environment, whilst trying out a few different skills from playing to presenting and with live music thrown it, they promise to be a great free day out for all the family.”
Running alongside the event is a series of exciting digital challenges as part of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow. The online challenges will launch on 17 May and onwards, providing people with a fun way to get involved and show their support for the Tournament on social media.
Tickets are on sale now for fans to experience a history making tournament that aims to unite football and communities and amplify the growth of the women’s game.