The count-down to UEFA Euro 2020 has officially begun. We are 30 days out from the opening game, between Turkey and Italy, scheduled for June 11th at the Stadio Olimpico. The city of Rome, in association with UEFA and the FIGC, is ready to welcome fans and tourists from all around Europe. The cornerstone of all these planned initiatives in the city will be the Football Village, situated in the Piazza del Popolo, alongside the four Hot Spots around Via del Corso. They will be found at: Piazza San Silvestro, Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, Piazza Mignanelli and Largo dei Lombardi. These spots will be the fan zones (along with one in Via dei Fori Imperiali), where the Mobility Makers, part of the volunteer programme organised by the city of Rome, will work. 100 people have already signed up to volunteer, but the city’s appeal for citizens to help out goes on. Visit roma2020mobilitymakers.it for more information.

The Mobility Makers’ principal job will be to help tourists and fans get around the city. Their contribution, in addition to the volunteering program put in place by UEFA, will be of great importance especially in train stations, airports and transport hubs in the city centre. They will work alongside professional sign-language interpreters to provide assistance to all citizens and tourists with any activities or issues pertaining to their following of UEFA EURO 2020.

As a teaser for all these initiatives around Rome, a video projection - directed by Italian firm Filmmaster Events - will be shown at Piazza del Campidoglio on the evening of 10 June. Through a light and sound show - accompanied by live musical performances - the story of Italy’s participation in European competitions will be projected onto the Campidoglio. The projection is seen through the eyes of a fan, from June 1968, the Azzurri’s first European final (which they went on to win), up to the present day. The event will be available to the public, free of charge, for three nights thereafter. 

Works to get these Fan Zones and 3D installations (in the shape of football jerseys) up and running in historical parts of the city of Rome will begin in the next few days, with the aim of having them ready by 11 June. The Football Village, situated in Piazza del Popolo, will be the central hub. The famous, old Roman square will host dozens of events and activities over the course of the 30-day tournament, all the while respecting sanitary protocols to help to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19. There will be a stage and two big screens installed, allowing fans to watch games, whilst also being able to walk around and enjoy themselves - 10 stands will be put up by the city’s sponsors and partners to help facilitate all this. Visitors to the Village will also be able to play 3-on-3 games of football free-of-charge on the two pitches set up there.

Four Hot Spots will be installed around via del Corso, at: Piazza San Silvestro, Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, Piazza Mignanelli and Largo dei Lombardi. Each one will house different games and initiatives; for example, at the Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina Hot Spot, there will be 3D art installations, one of which will show historically significant photographs from other European Championships, dating from the 60s up to the present day.

On the Terrazza del Pincio, a Food Area will be found that will allow customers to try traditional Roman dishes, using fresh, local products. Not far from there, the Media Centre - where all those working in sports media will be able to meet and work - will open its doors on the 9th June. Just outside the Media Centre, the “Dome” will be placed: a 10-metre diameter, circular area where FIGC-promoted initiatives and activities will take place.

All the key information and news pertaining to these events and initiatives in the city of Rome will be available in real-time on the official website: http://www.euro2020roma.com/.