Southampton to play a part in delivering Record-breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

Legacy plan will see 50 primary and secondary schools in Southampton offering equal access to football for girls in PE lessons by 2022 and double the number of FA-qualified female coaches and referees will officiate on the pitch across the city

  • Over 700,000 tickets available for the biggest women’s European sport event ever Tickets priced from £5 - £50, with over half a million tickets priced at £25 or less
  • St Mary’s Stadium to host three group stage fixtures
  • 13 July 2021 marks first chance to get tickets for fans that pre-register
  • Final draw show takes place on 28 October 2021 live on BBC
  • Legacy will see 50 primary and secondary schools offering equal access to football for girls in PE lessons by 2022
  • Double the number of FA-qualified female coaches and referees will officiate on the pitch across the city

With all 16 teams now confirmed for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, a major ticketing roadmap and legacy programme has been unveiled to illustrate how a record-breaking tournament that has the power to inspire the next generation of players and fans, will be delivered on home soil.

With over 700,000 tickets available across the 10 venues in nine host cities, an unprecedented number of fans will be able to experience the biggest women’s European sport event ever from 6 - 31 July 2022. St Mary’s Stadium will welcome its first Group A fixture to coincide with Matchday 1 on Thursday 7 July 2022, which will be an opportunity to surpass the biggest crowd for a women’s World Cup Qualifier in April 2018 when 25,601 fans saw England play Wales. The stadium will then host Matchday 2 on Monday 11 before hosting its final Group Stage fixture for Matchday 3 on Friday 15 July 2022.

Next summer’s celebration of football sees tickets ranging from £5 to £50, with over half a million tickets available for £25 or less, ensuring the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 is an accessible event for all. The tournament will see a family of four [two adults and two children] able to watch some of the World’s best players from just £30. With over 90% of England’s population within two hours of a game, the tournament will truly belong to everyone and allow fans from all areas the chance to play their part in what will hopefully be a record-breaking summer for the women’s game.

The first chance supporters will have to apply for tickets is on 13 July 2021, via the Pre-Sale, presented by Visa. To ensure this priority access, fans can register their interest now.

Together with UEFA, as a nation and host a clear ambition is held to deliver the biggest women’s football event in UEFA history, which is used to inspire long-term, sustainable positive change in women’s and girls’ football. The nine Host Cities and 10 match venues are all playing a vital role in establishing the continued growth of women’s and girls’ football in England and, as next summer gets closer, the Host Cities are also united in the ambition to provide a blueprint for future UEFA Women’s EURO tournaments.

Shannon Sievwright, the Southampton Football Club Women’s Captain and Saints Foundation Female Inclusion Lead, met with a girl’s football team at Bitterne Park School to discuss the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament coming to Southampton and the opportunities it will bring for them.

As part of their legacy Southampton will launch clear and accessible opportunities and programmes for women and girls to play football where and how they wish - and progress if they wish to. The Playmaker Award will be promoted to encourage women to take a first step in coaching football, and off the pitch, an increased number of FA-qualified female coaches and referees will be deployed where they are most needed to support the growth of the game for women and girls.

These pledges will lead to 50 primary and secondary schools offering equal access to football for girls in PE lessons by 2022. Double the number of FA-qualified female coaches and referees will officiate on the pitch, with 500 more women playing football in Southampton’s most deprived wards by creating sustainable recreational football opportunities.

As a collective legacy, the programme shared today sets out the plans across the nine Host Cities to deliver 500,000 new football opportunities to engage women and girls by 2024. This will result in 120,000 more girls playing in schools and clubs and 20,000 women playing for fun and friendship. In addition, 300 newly FA-qualified female coaches will double the number currently involved across the host cities, with 350 new FA-qualified female referees officiating to ensure increased female participation in all areas of the game. Find out more about how the tournament will help drive positive change within girls and women’s football.

Kate Martin, Executive Director Place at Southampton City Council, said:

“In Southampton there is a real buzz about three games of the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament being played here next year. It is a great opportunity for the City to come together and enjoy the Tournament and for the City to capitalise on the positive legacy it will bring to give women and young people more access to opportunities to get involved in sport and physical activity in general plus supporting local businesses in their recovery.”

Giles Semper, Executive Director of GO! Southampton, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) says:

"This is another great milestone for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. As a host city, Southampton is looking forward to next year and the fantastic opportunities that will come with this event for our businesses and the local economy."

The Pre-Sale, presented by Visa will run from 13 July until 10 August 2021. As part of the Pre-Sale, Visa cardholders will be given the opportunity to be among the first to purchase their tickets for the tournament, alongside fans that pre-register now. The public ballot will open following the draw which takes place on 28 October 2021 live on BBC, with tickets going on general sale from mid-February 2022.

Although all are planning for full stadiums in summer 2022, a robust refund policy will be in place if fixtures are postponed, cancelled, have reduced capacity or a change of venue is introduced due to COVID.

A ticket resale platform will be available in 2022 for ticket holders to use and re-sell their tickets at face value pre-tournament to another fan. More will be communicated in the coming months.