19 Sep 2014
London to host Euro 2020 final and semi-finals
BY Tom Anstey
Wembley Stadium in London has been selected to host the UEFA Euro 2020 final and semi-final stages of the tournament for the first time since Euro 96, beating off competition from Munich, Germany.
UEFA's Executive Committee has selected 13 associations/cities from the 19 bids, with 12 winning standard packages (three group stage games, one quarter-final or round of 16 game) and one city to host the semi-finals and final.
This is the first time in the tournament’s history that the tournament will be held Europe-wide, with England and Wembley Stadium holding the distinction of hosting the semi-final and final.
The capacity and commercial potential of Wembley are believed to be attractive to the European governing body and the FA delegation including chairman Greg Dyke, England manager Roy Hodgson and sports minister Helen Grant was successful in securing the first international football tournament final to be held in England since 1996.
Munich, Baku, St Petersburg and Rome will each host three group-stage matches and a quarter-final, while Copenhagen, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Dublin, Bilbao, Budapest Brussels and Glasgow will each host a last-16 tie and three group-stage games.
The idea has drawn criticism from some fans’ groups, who have expressed concern about the expense of following the tournament across Europe, while others argue the plans will help to keep costs down by playing in stadiums that are already built.
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