Birmingham City Council backs Villa Park to host the Euro 2028 football tournament

Plans to maximise Birmingham’s Commonwealth Game legacy have been revealed by Birmingham City Council
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Villa Park is on the list of English stadiums set to be contenders to host the Euros in 2028, according to reports.

And Birmingham City Council has revealed that it is backing the stadium in Aston as it outlines its plans to optimise the Commonwealth Games legacy with Birmingham hosting more major events.

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The council already has bids in for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and the European Athletics Championships in 2026.

Now the city is also pushing for Villa Park to be on the list of stadiums that would form part of a Home Nations bid for the Euro 2028 football tournament.

Details were revealed in a recent council report to Cabinet also outlines further details on the Birmingham 2023 Festival, which is described as “an anniversary festival for the city inspired by the Birmingham 2022 Festival for the XXII Commonwealth Games”.

It is stated the event would set in motion plans for the city’s new signature international festival in future years,

Commonwealth Games legacy in Birmingham - basket ball at SmithfieldCommonwealth Games legacy in Birmingham - basket ball at Smithfield
Commonwealth Games legacy in Birmingham - basket ball at Smithfield

Is there more information on what is being planned for the Birmingham Festival in 2023?

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The council said that the 2023 edition would give arts organisations a platform to outline their legacy achievements one year on from the Games. It is proposed the event would use the city centre’s main squares as a focal point and last for 11 days - echoing the 11 days of the Games, potentially running over two full weekends at the end of July/start of August.

In terms of support for grassroots sport and culture, the council aims work with partners to develop plans to build on the findings of initial Games evaluation from the Government - that stated that nearly half (43 per cent) of spectators suggested they would increase their activity levels as a result of the Games, rising to 71 per cent for the under-25s.

Alongside this, 107 Creative City projects took place across Birmingham, flooding open spaces in all parts of the city with art, co-created with local communities.

A council spokesperson said: “The legacy opportunity in this field of work is judged to be strong and the council will work with partners to identify and secure legacy funding streams and underspends to back organisations into the two sectors.”

What else is known about Villa Park’s bid to host the 2028 Euros?

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BirminghamWorld recently reported how the number of English stadiums on the list of contenders is now down to just ten.

The UK and Ireland looked set to be confirmed as host countries for the tournament before Turkey submitted an application ahead of the March deadline. UEFA will announce the winning entrant next September

According to The Times, Anfield, Elland Road and the Emirates Stadium have surprisingly been omitted from that list.

The ten grounds still in contention, are: Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the London Stadium, Villa Park, Stadium MK, Old Trafford, the Etihad, Everton’s planned Bramley Moore Dock ground, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Newcastle United’s St James’ Park.

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The report states that the list will be reduced down to six or seven stadiums by Uefa.

Birmingham City Council House, Victoria SquareBirmingham City Council House, Victoria Square
Birmingham City Council House, Victoria Square

What has the Leader of Birmingham City Council said about the city’s Commonwealth Games legacy in his own words?

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Commonwealth Games were an amazing success and showed the very best of Birmingham off on a global stage – but I have always been clear that it was always more than just 11 days of sport. It is the start of a golden decade opportunity for this city.

“That is why it is absolutely critical we embrace the legacy opportunities available to us. Having put on the largest event in the city’s history we have proven beyond all doubt our capacity and capability to do so again.

“As this report to Cabinet clearly shows, major events enable us to lever investment from other partners worth many times more than the funding we have to put in at a city council level. It was exactly the same with the Games.

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“The city and its residents face huge challenges in the months and years ahead, but it is more important than ever to stimulate activity by investing into our local economy to support community organisations, businesses and help people into work – sending the signal to potential investors Birmingham is very much open and ready to embrace opportunities.

“We know there is an underspend on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, so by stating a compelling case for the use of some of those funds, plus our own financial backing and support from other sources, we feel we have assembled a package of proposals that will create the backbone of the legacy from what was an unforgettable summer of celebration for the city.”

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