Football and more at the Fan Zones

Football and more at the Fan Zones

by Paul Saffer from Basel

UEFA today issued an invitation to watch UEFA EURO 2008™ matches at the official Fan Zones in the eight host cities – with room for seven million to join the celebration.

Football and fun

Following on from the experimental Fan Park at UEFA EURO 2004™ in Lisbon, which was regularly full to its 20,000 capacity, the 2006 FIFA World Cup Fan Fests across Germany proved a huge hits with millions of visitors and now a similar opportunity is laid on in Austria and Switzerland from 7 to 29 June. Not only will every match be shown for free on a total of 28 giant screens, with a daily aggregate capacity for 350,000 viewers, but there will be entertainment as diverse as French tennis player turned pop star Yannick Noah performing in Geneva and the Vienna symphony orchestra in the Austrian capital as well as theatre and comedy.

Join the party

Richard Heaselgrave, UEFA sponsorship sales and event promotion manager, said: "The concept was clear – we want as many people from Austria and Switzerland and the visiting fans to come and enjoy the games. You might not have tickets, but come to the party anyway. Watch the games on the big screens in a safe environment, mix with the other nationalities and have a good time."

Prime locations

The locations are among the most prestigious and scenic in each host city: Mittlere Rheinbrücke, Kasernenareal and Münsterplatz (Basel), Sechseläutenplatz (Zurich), Bundesplatz and Waisenhausplatz (Berne); Plaine de Plainpalais (Geneva) and Neuer Platz and Messegelände (Klagenfurt), which all open from Friday, and the Bergisel Arena (Innsbruck); the old town in Salzburg; and Rathausplatz and Heldenplatz (Vienna), all up and running on Saturday in time for that day's opening matches. "It is a partnership between UEFA and the host cities," Heaselgrave said. "The concept is to have a consistent look and feel. We wanted to secure the best locations in the cities. We hope we've moved the Fan Zone concept on a little bit."
For more information on the Fan Zones throughout Austria and Switzerland click here.

Source : Uefa Euro 2008 Official Web site