Greenwich Park could be hosting a “family-friendly” Euro 2020 fan zone next year as part of London’s co-hosting of Europe’s international football tournament.
Part of the park could be closed in June and July next year as part of the plans, the first major event to be held there since the Olympic Games in 2012.
To mark 60 years of the championships, the tournament will be held across Europe for the first time, with Wembley Stadium hosting the semi-finals and final, as well group matches.
Fan zones have been a part of major football tournaments since Germany’s hugely successful hosting of the World Cup in 2006. However, while those fan zones were free to access, it appears fans would need tickets for at least some matches at the Greenwich Park fan zone.
The road through the park will be closed and road closures are also likely around Greenwich town centre on the busiest days, according to the Greater London Authority, which is planning the fan zone.
News emerged on Friday – exactly a year before the date of the final – when an information page appeared on the City Hall website. 853 understands residents who live close to the park have been sent letters alerting them to the plans.
Much of the park was closed during the summer of 2012 for the equestrian and modern pentathlon events in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a test event held the year beforehand. Neighbours who lived close to the park held a well-publicised campaign against the arrival of the Games, which included the construction of a stadium on the field next to the National Maritime Museum on the spot where the fan zone is set to be.
While fears of permanent damage to the park proved to be unfounded, traders in Greenwich town centre reported a drop in business as non-Olympic visitors stayed away and spectators were guided away from shopping streets.
Consultation sessions about the plan will be held at The Forum, Trafalgar Road, SE10 9EQ from 2-9pm on Tuesday 23 July and from 11am-4pm on Wednesday 31 July.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “Londoners, football fans and visitors to the capital will be expecting an incredible experience during Euro 2020 – and the mayor is going to do everything he can to ensure that this competition lives long in the memory.
“To ensure that fans can come together to enjoy this unique sporting event in a family-friendly environment, the mayor and agencies are currently working with the local community to see if it would be viable to create a fan zone at Greenwich Park.
“A number of consultation events will be held with local residents to discuss proposals for hosting a fan zone in Greenwich and if these proposals do progress, local residents would be given priority access and steps will be put in place to minimise any disruption.”
A planning application could be submitted later this summer.
(Thanks to Rob at greenwich.co.uk for the tip.)
853 produces public interest journalism for Greenwich and SE London and is part-funded by its readers. If you would like to contribute to keeping the site running, please…
– join well over 100 monthly patrons at www.patreon.com/853.
– switch power supplier! Low-cost renewable Bulb energy will pay you and this site £50 each if you switch
– buy the author a coffee at ko-fi.com.
– make a one-off contribution at paypal.me/853london
You must be logged in to post a comment.