UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 in Manchester: fan festival in Piccadilly Gardens during July tournament - what’s on

Manchester is gearing up for a festival of football this summer as the city prepares to host the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament.

The finest female footballers on the continent will be battling it out for silverware throughout July with England’s Lionesses one of the 16 teams involved.

And the party is being brought right into the heart of the city as details of the fan festival in Piccadilly Gardens which will run throughout the competition have now been unveiled.

Fans from the competing nations will be able to watch the action unfold on the big screen and there will be a host of other activities to enjoy.

When is the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 fan festival running and what’s on there?

The fan festival in Manchester will be in Piccadilly Gardens between Wednesday 6 July and Sunday 31 July, opening from 11am until 4pm each day.

This means the fan party will be on throughout the whole of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament.

Matches will be shown on the big screen, there will be food and drink available and visitors will be able to enjoy football-themed activities and face painting.

There will also be taster sessions so people can try out football for themselves.

The festival will be free and with Austria, Belgium, England, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland all playing matches in Greater Manchester during the tournament it is hoped supporters from across Europe will head to the fan zone to enjoy what is being put on.

A whole range of arts, heritage and music activities will also be taking place across the city-region during what is expected to be Europe’s biggest women’s sports tournament. You can find out more about that here.

What else do I need to know about the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament?

Manchester will be the setting for a spectacular kick-off to the tournament on Wednesday 6 July when the Lionesses open the competition on home soil against Austria at Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground in front of what is expected to be a massive, sold-out crowd.

Further games in the tournament are taking place at the Manchester City Academy Stadium and at the Leigh Sports Village (LSV), the home of the Manchester United women’s team.

Tickets for some matches in the tournament are still available and you can find out more here.

To keep up to date with the latest news from the battle for continental silverware, including information about the fan festival and fan parties, you can use the event companion on the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 app here.

What has been said about the fan festival?

Coun John Hacking, executive member for skills, employment and leisure for Manchester City Council, said: “In Manchester we’re thrilled to be one of the host cities for the Women’s Euros.

“The women’s game is bigger than ever, and in a city where equality is at the heart of what we do, we’re proud to provide a platform for these incredible athletes.

“At our purpose-built fan party in Piccadilly Gardens there will be so much on offer for fans of the game to come down and enjoy. Not only that, with some of the legends of the women’s game attending we hope it will inspire the next generation of footballing talent.”

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament director Chris Bryant said: “Showtime is almost upon us. UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be a landmark, ground-breaking tournament in so many ways and not just for the fantastic football on the pitch. 

“All of our host cities are planning events before, during and after games. Whether you are a diehard football fan or just looking to enjoy your first tournament, we want everyone to share in the momentum of this event.

“There will be concerts, exhibitions, fan parties, match screenings, workshops and much more.”