Stamford Bridge to Stage UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

UEFA announces Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge will be the venue for the 2013 event

6-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge will be the host venue for the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Thursday 23 May 2013, it was announced today.

The 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League final will see the biggest event in European women’s club football return to London for the second time in three years after Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage hosted the 2011 final.

UEFA also today unveiled former England defender and Arsenal Ladies legend Faye White as the 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League final ambassador. In her role as ambassador White will work with UEFA to help promote the sport and final.

The final of the women’s competition will be held two days prior to the men’s UEFA Champions League final which takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25th May.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said: “The UEFA Women’s Champions League final showcases the best women’s club football in Europe and Stamford Bridge, home of the men’s 2012 UEFA Champions League winners, is the ideal venue to host this prestigious event. UEFA is pleased to be bringing the UEFA Women’s Champions League final back to London for what will be another successful event.”

Chelsea Football Club Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: “We are honoured that UEFA has chosen to bring the showpiece match of this prestigious women’s football competition to Stamford Bridge. Women’s football is now the most played sport for females in the country and the success of the Olympics and the Women’s Super League means there is an even greater enthusiasm right across the country. We take women’s football very seriously here at Chelsea Football Club, from grassroots right through to the senior level. We hope this final will inspire women and girls to take part in the game as well as our players to one day qualify for this elite European competition. We look forward to welcoming the best two teams in Europe to Stamford Bridge in May.”

England Women’s national team coach Hope Powell said: “To host the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in a stadium with the history and reputation of Stamford Bridge is fantastic and shows the prestige of this game. The fan base for Chelsea Ladies is ever increasing and this is a great opportunity to further raise the profile of the sport and for fans to see some of the best female footballers in Europe in action – I’m sure every player in the competition will be desperate to make it to the final and showcase their skills at such a great stadium.”

2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League final ambassador Faye White said: “The 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League final will be the highlight of the European women’s football club calendar. After the fantastic support enjoyed by Hope Powell’s Team GB side at this summer’s Olympics – with over 70,000 going to Wembley to cheer on their victory over Brazil – it’s great to see London hosting another major women’s football event next year.”

Appendix:

• Ticket details for the event will be announced at a later date.

• For further information about the UEFA Women’s Champions League please visit UEFA.com

• Stamford Bridge has been the home of Chelsea Football Club since the club was formed in 1905 but was first officially opened in 1877. The ground spent the first 28 years of its existence as an arena for athletics meetings and has since hosted a variety of sports including football, cricket, dog racing, baseball as well as motorsport events. The current capacity for this season is 41,798. Alongside hosting football, Stamford Bridge has a wide range of onsite facilities consisting of three merchandise stores and club museum, 21 function rooms including the 1,400m2 Great Hall, 60 syndicate rooms, a state-of-the-art music venue Under the Bridge, four bars and restaurants including two by Marco Pierre White, 281 bedrooms across two hotels, and an exclusive health club and spa.

For further information

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