Glasgow’s Host City Status Confirmed for UEFA EURO 2020
The Scottish FA and its key Local Organising Structure [LOS] partners are pleased to have Glasgow’s host city status for UEFA EURO 2020 confirmed at today’s meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee.
The tournament will now take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021, with UEFA confirming today that Glasgow’s three Group D matches will be held at Hampden Park on 14, 18 and 22 June 2021, followed by a round of 16 match on 29 June.
The announcement follows regular dialogue between the partners since the decision to postpone the tournament in light of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17.
These discussions culminated in a shared commitment issued to European football’s governing body on behalf of key stakeholders including the Scottish FA, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and VisitScotland.
The LOS has considered the full implications for the city in light of the postponement and in particular Glasgow and Hampden Park’s ability to co-host the tournament in 2021 against all other activities already confirmed for the city and the stadium at that point.
While the logistical challenges of moving the tournament from an LOS perspective are considerable, none the less the LOS agreed that it could meet the tournament requirements.
Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President and Chair of LOS Glasgow said:
"LOS Glasgow is absolutely committed to providing a memorable experience for the city, the country as a whole, and to fans across Europe when the tournament takes place next year.
We have been in regular dialogue with our colleagues at UEFA throughout the intervening period since postponement and are sympathetic to the considerable logistical challenges presented by a postponement to a tournament hosted in 12 cities across Europe.
To that end, I would like to thank all partners involved in LOS Glasgow for their efforts in ensuring the city can fulfil the requirements to co-host UEFA EURO 2020. We will continue to liaise with UEFA as LOS Glasgow to ensure a smooth delivery plan is implemented in the 12 months leading up to the tournament."
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture said:
"Welcoming the UEFA European Football Championship to Glasgow in 2021 will be an important step in our economic and cultural recovery from coronavirus.
Scotland is a global leader in hosting major events and the 2020 calendar has been devastated by the pandemic. Hosting a major international event such as the European Championship next year will help bring the country together, demonstrate that we are very much open for business and further enhance our reputation as a world class host of major events."
Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader, Glasgow City Council said:
"Glasgow is delighted that it has been reconfirmed today as a host city for the UEFA European Championship in 2021. There has been a huge amount of work undertaken by all the LOS partners to get us to this point, driven by the passion we know our citizens have for football and the desire to welcome fans from across Europe to our fabulous city, once the current health emergency is addressed.
“We believe this is an important signal that Glasgow and Scotland is committed to being open for business once again. UEFA EURO 2020 will make a significant contribution to creating a festival atmosphere in the city centre, provide an opportunity for communities to gather and celebrate together and give a welcome boost to businesses in the city following an exceptionally difficult year."
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland added:
“Following months of hard work by the LOS partners, today’s announcement reconfirming Glasgow as a host city for UEFA EURO 2020 is welcome news. While there is still a way to go, having the tournament confirmed for next year signals the start of recovery for Scotland’s events industry.
Events will play a key role in Scotland’s recovery from this current health emergency by providing great entertainment for locals and visitors as well as providing employment across the sector and a strong economic lift to the businesses in the areas they are held. We look forward to welcome football fans from all over Europe to Glasgow and Scotland for UEFA EURO 2020 next June and showing why we’re the perfect stage for events.”