The Convention Centre Dublin to host UEFA 2020 draw
Pan-European media gathering to showcase Dublin as a major event host city
DUBLIN – 28 September 2017 – The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) has announced that it will host the live televised UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying draw, which will take place on 2 December 2018. The 2020 championships mark the 60th anniversary of UEFA’s prestigious competition.
UEFA selected Ireland and The CCD as the venue for this event, following an invitation to bid issued to the host cities of this unique European Championships. UEFA indicated that The CCD was chosen due to its capability to deliver the detailed list of requirements. The technical capability of The CCD for TV and staging, the quality and expertise of the venue, the cost competitiveness of the package and the level of detail in the Dublin submission document were the strongest factors in winning the bid.
Games are being hosted in 13 cities across the continent on a once-off basis and it is expected that up to 200,000 people will visit from overseas for the games alone. Dublin is set to host four games in the Aviva stadium which is expected to bring an economic benefit of between €40 and €50 million to Ireland.
Welcoming the news, Stephen Meehan, CEO of The CCD said, "We are excited to confirm such a prestigious sporting event and congratulate all teams involved in the bid submission. The CCD is an iconic building in the heart of Dublin city and we are looking forward to welcoming representatives from the 55 National Associations to our venue".
The submission to secure the event was led by the UEFA EURO (Dublin) Local Organising Committee, consisting of representatives from the Football Association of Ireland and Dublin City Council, in partnership with the Government through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and strong support from the Dublin Convention Bureau.
Minister for Transports, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD said, " I am very pleased to hear of the success of the bid to host the EURO 2020 qualifying draw in Dublin. The hosting of such prestigious televised sporting events is a fantastic opportunity to boost the profile of Dublin and Ireland, and to highlight our facilities for international conferences and events".
FAI CEO, John Delaney said, " I am delighted that Dublin has been selected to host the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying draw. Along with Dublin being one of the host cities for the tournament, the hosting of the draw in our capital city demonstrates the high regard in which Ireland is held as a tournament host. The live televised event will be broadcast throughout the world and puts Irish football, as well as Ireland as a nation, at the forefront of international sport”.
The live televised draw will see media attendees representing UEFA's 55 National Associations arrive in Dublin for the event.
- 650 guests, including almost 300 delegates from the participating countries, are expected
- 350 media representatives will be accredited to cover the event
- 70+ broadcasters will show the draw live to an audience of 140m around the world
ENDS
Press Contact
Suzanne McGann
Head of Marketing & Communications
The Convention Centre Dublin
Email: suzanne.mcgann@theccd.ie
About The CCD
The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) opened in September 2010 and is Ireland’s only purpose-built international convention centre. Located in the heart of Dublin city, just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, The CCD has won a total of 34 industry awards since opening.
About UEFA EURO 2020
UEFA EURO 2020 draw for the qualifying games is unique, given that the tournament will be a pan-European competition for the first time ever with 13 host cities staging games. Up to 200,000 people will visit Ireland for the tournament in 2020.
The 13 host cities for EURO 2020 include:
1. Munich (Germany) - three group matches and a quarter-final
2. Baku (Azerbaijan) - three group matches and a quarter-final
3. Rome (Italy) - three group matches and a quarter-final
4. St Petersburg (Russia) - three group matches and a quarter-final
5. Brussels (Belgium) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
6. Copenhagen (Denmark) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
7. Budapest (Hungary) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
8. Amsterdam (Netherlands) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
9. Dublin (Republic of Ireland) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
10. Bucharest (Romania) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
11. Glasgow (Scotland) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
12. Bilbao (Spain) - three group matches and a round of 16 match
13. London (England) - two semi-finals and final
Additional comments
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ardmheara Michael McDonncha said, "On behalf of the citizens of Dublin, I'm delighted by UEFA's decision to hold the draw for EURO 2020 in our great city”.
FAI CEO, John Delaney said, “I would like to thank our bid team for their tremendous work in securing this prestigious event, and recognise the partnership and collaborative efforts of all parties working together through the FAI, Dublin City Council and Government, through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as well as the Dublin Convention Bureau”.
Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan said, “The 60th anniversary of the EUROs will be a wonderful sporting occasion eagerly anticipated by all supporters. Dublin City Council is particularly proud to have played its part in securing Dublin as a host city for the matches and the EURO 2020 qualifying draw”.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin said, “I want to extend my congratulations to the team who worked with UEFA to secure Dublin as a host for this important occasion in the European footballing calendar. We are very much looking forward to extending a warm welcome to all the international delegates who will be attending in December 2018”.