SOCCER fans are in for a treat after Dublin was chosen to be one of the 13 host cities of UEFA Euro 2020.
The successful bid will see the Aviva Stadium hosting four matches over a three week period in June 2020, including three group stage games and one Round of 16 game.
The 13 football associations that will host ‘Euro for Europe’ in 2020 were selected by the UEFA Executive Committee in a ceremony in Geneva on Friday.
The UEFA Euros are one of the biggest sporting events in the world with a cumulative TV audience of 1.9 billion, behind only the FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympic Games in terms of global reach.
The hosting of three group games and one round of sixteen fixture in Dublin is expected to provide a significant boost to the economy while generating massive tourism exposure for Ireland before and after the games.
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, congratulated the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Dublin City Council on its successful bid.
Minister Ring said:
“I want to congratulate the FAI, Dublin City Council and their partners on the successful bid for Dublin to host part of the European Soccer Championships in 2020.
“It is a marvellous opportunity for our nation to be part of one of the world’s top sporting events and a fantastic opportunity for Irish football fans to enjoy such a prestigious event on their own home soil.
“The Government fully supported the bid and my department and other Government departments worked with the FAI to ensure that the bid met all the criteria sought by UEFA.
“To have an opportunity to host part of a tournament that is normally the reserve of Europe’s bigger nations represents a unique opportunity for Ireland.
“We are a country that is passionate about football and look forward to welcoming the cream of European football to our shores in 2020.
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Minister Ring said that recent events such as the Giro d’Italia had shown that Ireland could successfully host large international sports events and ensure that participants and spectators alike have a great experience when they visit Ireland
“The Aviva stadium is a world class facility and previously successfully hosted the 2011 Europa League Final, the 2012 Heineken Cup Final and the 2012 Emerald Isle Classic,
? the minister added.
“While the Euro 2020 championship matches will take place at the Aviva Stadium, I believe that the repercussions and legacy will be felt throughout the country and will have a significant economic impact.
“The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and help put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
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John Delaney, the Chief Executive of the FAI, thanked Michel Platini and the UEFA Executive Committee for their decision to award the honour to Ireland against strong competition from all over Europe
“In 2020 the association will be entering its 100th year and this once off opportunity to host part of the European finals at our home stadium will provide a major boost for Irish football and the country as a whole,
? he said.
“We could not have done it on our own and I thank our partners, Dublin City Council, the Government and all of the organisations who put in tremendous work to win it for Ireland.
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Dublin’s Lord Mayor Christy Burke added:
“I look forward to welcoming visitors to Dublin from all over the world, to what will undoubtedly be a wonderful sporting occasion.
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