Event set to be the most successful of its kind with record-breaking attendances; Wembley Stadium will host a sell-out crowd for tournament finale; demand for tickets has been extremely high ahead of general sale ticket release
Tuesday 29 March 2022 11:26, UK
Wembley Stadium is poised to host a capacity crowd for this summer's UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final, with England's group stage fixture against Northern Ireland at St Mary's also a sell-out.
Monday marks 100 days to go until the tournament kickstarts in England, with general sale tickets now available on a first come, first served basis.
The event's opening match between England and Austria on July 6th is taking place at Old Trafford with UEFA revealing over 350,000 tournament tickets have already been snapped up.
That total means this summer's tournament - which has been postponed by 12 months due to the pandemic - is set to achieve unprecedented attendances, already surpassing the total number of tickets sold for 2017's edition, which was hosted by reigning champions Netherlands.
Over 700,000 tickets have been made available across the 10 venues in nine host cities for the tournament which runs from July 6 to July 31, with the aim of Wembley's grand finale surpassing the current European record for a women's game of 80,203 - set at London 2012.
UEFA's chief of women's football, Nadine Kessler, who was also a Women's Euro winner in 2013 with Germany, said: "The countdown to UEFA Women's Euro 2022 in England has already begun and today marks just 100 days to go!
"This summer is going to be a game-changer for European women's football and we can't wait to showcase what will be a record-breaking tournament. It's going to be bigger and better than ever before, so get ready, get excited and get your ticket now to show your support for your country in England this July."
Fara Williams, England's most capped player of all time, is backing the host nation to produce a tournament to remember this summer, both on and off the pitch.
The Lionesses were beaten by eventual champions the Netherlands at Euro 2017, and Williams believes home advantage can play a vital role in boosting England's chances this time around.
"I think today brings it to life - 100 days until the tournament kicks off and it's here in England," she told Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill.
"The tickets go on [general] sale today [Monday] and we're hoping to break some records this summer. A home Euros, to follow on from the men's [tournament] last year."
Speaking about England's prospects, as they enter their first major tournament under the stewardship of head coach Sarina Wiegman, the former midfielder added: "They have got a fantastic squad of players. They have got a manager now who has got hold of the trophy so hopefully she can bring it back with her.
"The blend within the squad, in terms of the youth and experience they've got, I genuinely believe it's their best chance to bring it home.
"With the genuine support of the women's game, the way it is now, I think they have a fantastic chance. We're going into this tournament as one of the favourites."
Chelsea defender Millie Bright is hoping her side can draw upon momentum gained from February's Arnold Clark Cup victory to mount a serious challenge at this summer's UEFA Euro competition.
Bright - England's unlikely goalscoring hero at the first edition of the Arnold Clark Cup - wants to carry that positive experience into this summer's tournament, in the hope that England can go one better than their last showing at a Euros, where they bowed out at the semi-final stage.
"We had some brilliant performances," the 28-year-old reflected. "Lots to learn as well; we're still on a journey where we're developing as a group under Serena (Wiegman).
"For us, it's about keeping moving forward in the right direction and definitely lots to take from that tournament [Arnold Clark Cup]. Obviously we won and yeah that's the feeling that we want to keep feeling. Definitely lots of positives."
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, C3*, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
*Russia suspended until further notice
Group stage:
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England vs Austria - kick off 8pm, Old Trafford
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway vs Northern Ireland - kick off 8pm, St Mary's
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain vs Finland - kick off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Denmark - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Saturday July 9
Group C: C3 vs Switzerland - kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden - kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland - kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland - kick off 5pm, St Mary's
Group A: England v Norway - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Tuesday July 12
Group B: Denmark vs Finland - kick off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland - kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands v C3 - kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy vs Iceland - kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Friday July 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England - kick off 8pm, St Mary's
Group A: Austria vs Norway - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany - kick off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands - kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs C3 - kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium - kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Friday July 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D - kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
Tuesday July 26
Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 - kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 - kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 - kick off 5pm, Wembley
