As one of 12 UEFA EURO 2020 successful bidding cities, Dublin will host three group games and one round 16 game at the Aviva Stadium. The UEFA Executive Committee confirmed the dates of the games that will take place in Dublin being Monday, June 15, Friday, June 19, Wednesday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 30.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Ross said: “I am delighted to welcome today’s announcement of Dublin’s match days for EURO 2020. This tournament is one of the most watched and supported events in world sport after the World Cup and the Olympics. Irish supporters are known for generating a great atmosphere wherever they travel and this tournament gives Irish supporters a chance to extend our unique welcome to up to 160,000 supporters who could travel here in June 2020.”
Minister Griffin added: “EURO 2020 will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that is great about Ireland and Dublin. The Department has been working in partnership with the FAI and DCC preparing for this tournament since 2016. Today’s announcement regarding our match days in EURO 2020 will not only build the anticipation for the event coming to Dublin but will help all the key stakeholders to advance our hosting plans.”
Ardmheara Bhaile Atha Cliath, Micheal Mac Donncha, said: “EURO 2020 promises to be a wonderful event for Dublin. This is a city that is passionate about sport and we are looking forward to welcoming football supporters from all over Europe in June 2020. Dublin will also be hosting the draw for EURO 2020 qualifying groups in December 2018, with delegates from all UEFA member associations and international media attending.”
Owen Keegan, Dublin City Council Chief Executive, said: “Dublin’s preparation for EURO 2020 began in 2016. We are working closely with stakeholders to deliver on our ambition that Dublin emerges the best of the 12 EURO 2020 host cities. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase Dublin on the world stage, with thousands of supporters attending and millions more watching on television.”
FAI CEO John Delaney believes the four games will act as the perfect opportunity to promote Irish football and the country with the world’s media watching on.
“It is great to have the dates confirmed as we continue with our preparations for what will be the biggest international sporting event yet to be staged in Ireland,” said Delaney.
“The Local Organising Committee, made up of key people from the FAI, Dublin City Council, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Failte Ireland, have been working hard with key agencies and partners to UEFA’s guidelines to prepare for the hosting of four matches in our city. We are looking forward to UEFA staging the draw in Dublin on December 2, where every member nation of UEFA will be in attendance along with the world’s media.
“Being able to host four games at EURO 2020 allows us to showcase Irish football, Aviva Stadium, the city of Dublin, and the country as a whole. It is an exciting time and I’m sure that football supporters from all over Europe will be looking forward to visiting Dublin in June 2020.”
The bid to host the televised draw for the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying groups was also successfully won by Dublin and will be held in Dublin’s Convention Centre on December 2, 2018. The event will be attended by delegates from all 55 UEFA member nations and over 350 international media representatives with an estimated TV audience worldwide of 140 million.
The four UEFA EURO 2020 matches being held in Dublin, in addition to the value brought to the economy, represent a unique opportunity to showcase the city and the country on the world stage. The UEFA EUROs is the world’s third biggest sporting event drawing an international TV audience of more than two billion when the 2016 Championships were held in France.
Following the qualification games, which take place in 2019, the draw for the finals itself will be held in December 2019 when match times of the Dublin games will be confirmed.
