With 500 days to go until UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 kicks off in England, The FA has today released the full match schedule – which includes confirmation that Rotherham United’s New York Stadium will host four matches including a quarter-final on 24 July – in what promises to be a record-breaking edition of the European tournament next summer.
It was also revealed that England are to play the opening match at Old Trafford on 7 July 2021, with Manchester United’s iconic 74,879 capacity venue offering the host nation the opportunity to break the attendance record for a UEFA Women’s EURO in its opening fixture. Wembley Stadium – with a capacity of 90,000 – will host the showpiece final on 1 August, meaning the venue is hosting back-to-back men’s and women’s European Championship finals in 2020 and 2021.
New York Stadium is one of ten grounds which will stage UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 matches next summer. As tournament hosts, Phil Neville’s Lionesses qualify automatically and after beginning their campaign at Old Trafford, will complete their group stage fixtures in front of home crowds at a further two Premier League venues – Brighton & Hove’s Community Stadium and St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
Now in its 13th edition, the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 is poised to be the biggest women’s EURO to date, with over 700,000 tickets available to fans and extensive coverage of every game of the tournament available on free-to-air television, radio and online. Fans will be able to see some of the world’s best players in action on home soil as 31 matches are played across 26 days of competition.
To register for tickets, as well as tournament news, competitions and volunteering opportunities, please visit TheFA.com/WEURO2021.
Dame Sue Campbell, The FA’s Director of Women’s Football and UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 Board Member said: “The confirmation of Old Trafford as the iconic venue for England’s opening game shows just how big our aspirations for UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 are. As a proud host nation, by staging matches at ten fantastic grounds across the country, our aim is not only to deliver a record-breaking tournament, but also to ensure that it provides a tangible legacy in terms of growing the women’s game. By inspiring fans both at home and abroad, and by providing playing opportunities to girls in every school across the country, I am confident that we can do exactly that.”
Phil Neville, England Women’s Head Coach said: "It doesn’t get much bigger than managing your country at a home EURO, and it is set to be a special summer as we prepare to host this wonderful competition. Old Trafford has a special place in my heart, and is also one of the country’s most iconic football grounds, so I’m looking forward to kicking off our WEURO2021 campaign in Manchester. I can’t wait to then take our Lionesses to Southampton and Brighton, as the tournament offers fans across the country the chance to watch the elite women’s game on home turf next summer.”
Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s Head of Women’s Football said: “This UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 will be ground-breaking from start to finish. To kick-off at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in Manchester, and to have the final at the iconic Wembley Stadium shows just how far the game has come. This is what women’s football deserves. To play in such stadia is what you strive for - as a player, coach, referee and a fan. I am so happy for everyone who will have the opportunity to experience this. Our goal is to deliver a memorable tournament and inspire the next generation of football-loving girls and boys. Knowing The FA and England’s long-term commitment to the women’s game, we have no doubt that we will achieve this together and set a new European benchmark.”