Excitement is reaching fever pitch! The biggest women’s European sport event in history gets underway next week.
Women’s EURO 2022 kicks off with England against Austria on 6 July at Old Trafford, with the final at Wembley on 31 July.
Having been selected as one of nine host cities, Rotherham will see three group stage games and one quarter final.
France and Italy will lock horns at AESSEAL New York Stadium on 10 July, with Les Blues taking on Belgium here four days later. Group D is wrapped up with a tie between Iceland and France.
Saturday 23 July will see Rotherham host a prestigious Quarter-Final.
For each match that Rotherham hosts, the town centre will be transformed by a spectacular Fan Party (10, 14, 18 & 23 July), bringing you a festival of dance, movement, music, food and football skills.
Enjoy performance and music at All Saint’s Square, football-themed workshops and masterclasses along College Street, food and drink at Minster Gardens, and a beautiful new public artwork at Effingham Square.
Fresh from performances on Britain’s Got Talent, and sell out shows at London’s South Bank Centre, Royal Vauxhall Tavern and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the South Yorkshire siren herself, Myra Dubois, returns to her native Rotherham to host a fabulous Fan Party!
International dancers and musicians will rub shoulders with local artists and performers across four zones, including pop-up walkabout and street theatre from WE Great Ladies, Mark Mark Productions and Breakout Arts. Dance and movement programme curated by Yorkshire Dance. Music and rhythm programme curated by Khula Arts.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has worked with local communities to create local anthems. You can hear Rotherham’s performed by local school children and musicians alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Quintet on Monday 18 July.
You can also experience Flux Rotherham’s colourful hanging artworks, in Effingham Square, created by local groups as a welcome to international visitors and residents. The artworks celebrate our local landscapes, vibrant heritage and are inspired by the poem Our Rotherham, Our Yorkshire, commissioned by Rotherham Council for Yorkshire in 2020 and written by Rotherham Young Writers and Hive South Yorkshire. Pop-up workshops will be running in Effingham Square on match days. No need to book just drop in!
Visit the legacy area to try your hand (or foot!) at some football skills. Whether you are a beginner or a team player there will be something for you, with fun activities for all age ranges to try out and learn new skills.
Each Fan Party will take place in Rotherham Town Centre on:
- Sunday 10 July, 12pm to 6pm
- Thursday 14 July, 2pm to 6pm
- Monday 18 July, 2pm to 6pm
- Saturday 23 July, 12pm to 6pm
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, Head of Tournament Delivery, Chris Bryant said: “Showtime is almost upon us. UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be a landmark, ground-breaking tournament in so many ways and not just for the fantastic football on the pitch.
“All of our host cities are planning events before, during and after games. Whether you are a diehard football fan or just looking to enjoy your first tournament, we want everyone to share in the momentum of this event. There will be concerts, exhibitions, fan parties, match screenings, workshops and much more.”
Images: UEFA / The FA