Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the European Championship, as well as recognising the gradual return of normality for large events. These are the two objectives at the heart of the 16th edition of UEFA EURO 2020. Rome will be playing a key part in the month-long tournament, one that will be characterised by social interaction and fun after months of closures and restrictions. 

During the tournament itself, Rome will organise different activities across the capital in conjunction with UEFA and the FIGC. The Stadio Olimpico will play host to around 16,000 fans in accordance with the relevant Covid rules and regulations.

Today, there was the official presentation of Rome’s Local Ambassador for UEFA EURO 2020, with the actress Cristiana Capotondi taking up the mantle. She will be representing the city during various initiatives and events, assisted by the other two Ambassadors, Gianluca Vialli and Francesco Totti. All of the relevant information will be available via this link in due time: http://www.euro2020roma.com/.

The hub of activity will be at the Football Village in the Piazza del Popolo, while there will also be four Hot Spots located in Piazza San Silvestro, Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, Piazza Mignanelli and Largo dei Lombardi. All of these will host Fan Zones that will welcome citizens, tourists and football fans. The Piazza del Popolo will also host two big screens and a stage that will show tournament matches. It will also be possible to walk between ten stands made available by key sponsors. Meanwhile, another screen will also be set up in via dei Fori Imperali to show all of the matches taking place in Rome. 

Separately, a Media Centre will be set up at the Terrazza del Pincio for those in the media industry, and there will also be a Food Area featuring traditional local products and dishes. Outside will be a ten-metre dome that will host events promoted by the main sponsors. The two Local Media Supporters, Corriere dello Sport and Dimensione Suono Roma, will also be present.

A team of volunteers will be on hand to help with the organisation of the tournament, whose work on the ground alongside a team from UEFA will help to welcome visitors. They will be particularly present in places such as stations, airports, transport hubs, as well as throughout the city. They will also provide support at the Fan Zones and Media Centre, responding to any queries for information. 

“We’re delighted to confirm that the UEFA EURO 2020 competition will be taking place in Rome,” said Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi. “Italy’s capital is already prepared to host such a significant international event, even more so now because it represents a chance to start again. It will be a unique spectacle, not only because we’re hosting four matches, but because it will consist of various sporting, cultural and entertainment initiatives throughout our splendid city, where there will be one of the largest Fan Zones in Europe.”

“We have a month full of activities to accompany the matches,” said Daniele Frongia, Rome’s Councillor for Sport and Extraordinary Commissioner for UEFA EURO 2020. “It’ll be a month of culture, sport, entertainment and music in full compliance with the Covid rules. The city is fully prepared to welcome fans, tourists and local citizens, who will all have the chance to enjoy the social interaction that has been missing in recent months. Things are heating up with the Trophy Tour that is proceeding through the city, which represents our first activity. I want to thank everyone involved.”

“A festival of football and a festival of sport” was how Valentina Vezzali, the Undersecretary for Sport, described it. “This is what I imagine it will be like on 11 June. The opening match of UEFA EURO 2020, which we have been waiting for for over a year, will have a sense of value that goes beyond sport. Football will put an end to the nightmare. This is why we also wanted to present this commitment that fans will attend each of the four matches in Italy. Rome EURO 2020 will be another opportunity to enjoy another super Italian sporting event!” 

“The European Championship in Rome will be an amazing event,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. “Together with the City Council and our institutional partners, we’re organising something that, after the past year, will offer an amplified message of hope that goes beyond the confines of football. We will safely celebrate Italy’s re-opening and what will be a historic event. The FIGC has always believed it was possible, we can’t wait to enjoy it together with the fans.”

The main point of attraction will be the Football Village in the Piazza del Popolo. In full respect of the local rules, the historic Piazza will host many events during the competition. It will be a village fully dedicated to football and will surround the Piazza’s obelisk, with 10 stands across 60 square metres for the sponsors. There will also be space for sporting activities and interactive fun for all. 

The Unique Jersey will be an experience for all to enjoy. While the different National Teams will be donning their respective shirts out on the pitch, those out on the streets in Rome will be able to wear a special shirt. The spirit will be one of fun assisted by a ‘unique shirt’, which will be a 3D installation. This unique landmark will be a point of reference located in the Football Village, the Media Centre and in the four Hot Spots, representing an ideal place to take a photo. 

Terrazza del Pincio: Food Area & Media Centre - Located in the Terrazza del Pincio, this will serve as a reference point for all journalists during the tournament. The area will be well-equipped and with places to work and meet. 

UEFA EURO 2020: The tournament - The competition will be played across 12 different European cities with the inaugural match taking place between Italy and Turkey on 11 June at 21:00 CEST at the Stadio Olimpico. This will also host the National Team’s other two group matches (Italy vs. Switzerland on 16 June and Italy vs. Wales on 20 June), as well as the quarter-final on Saturday 3 July. All of the matches will be organised in full compliance with Covid rules and regulations. Sport and Salute SpA has been working on the promotion of sport and healthy lifestyles, while also working on the “safe Olimpico” plan since September. Most of all, the organisation has been focused throughout on the European Championship and creating the best conditions for UEFA, FIGC and the Government to give the green light to the tournament. This has now happened as fans prepare to return to the stadium. This is thanks to investment in Thermo cameras, control rooms, flow channels and sanitisation. Today, the Stadio Olimpico is one of the most advanced in Europe, with fans set to return on 11 June. 

Rome is one of the cities that will host UEFA EURO 2020 alongside Amsterdam, Baku, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London and St Petersburg. UEFA will decide on the final three cities on 23 April: Bilbao, Dublin and Munich. The event mascot is Skillzy, inspired by freestyle football.