Ring congratulates Euro 2020 bid partners on success

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, today congratulated the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Dublin City Council on its successful bid for Dublin to be one of the thirteen host cities of UEFA Euro 2020. The 13 football associations that will host the ‘EURO for Europe’ in 2020 were selected by the UEFA Executive Committee in a ceremony in Geneva today. The successful bid will see the Aviva Stadium in Dublin hosting four matches over a three week period in June 2020, including three Group Stage games and one Round of 16 game.

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 Governments 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.’

“Recent events such as the Giro d’Italia have shown that Ireland can 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. While the Euro 2020 championship matches will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 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 helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.I see Euro 2020 as having the ability to encourage more young people to get involved in sport. It will be a great opportunity for young Irish people to see some of the best that European football now has to offer on their own doorstep and to inspire more young people to get involved in the sport.”