Starting on May 30, the UEFA Champions Festival will see a handful of iconic central London spots taken over by all things football. There’ll be plenty of hands-on (or feet-on?) entertainment, live music and giveaways across a four-day period, all free to attend and suited to all ages. There’ll be activations in five locations: Trafalgar Square, South Bank, Somerset House, Potters Fields Park and Regent Street.
Following an opening ceremony on the morning of Thursday May 30, the UEFA Champions League trophy will then be displayed on Regent Street on Thursday and Friday. The famous shopping street will be pedestrianised for two days, meaning fans will have a chance to check out the trophy, as well as take part in penalty shoot-out challenges and fan benches.
The coveted prize will then be transferred to Trafalgar Square on Saturday June 1, the day of the final between Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid CF, where visitors will have the opportunity to pose with the trophy before it’s transferred to Wembley Stadium and lifted by the captain of the winning team. Trafalgar Square will also host a UEFA Champions League team captains’ jersey exhibit, where fans can spy kits from all 32 teams in this year’s competition. And as if that wasn’t enough, there will also be live performances at the Square for the duration of the festival, including a free DJ set from Faithless on Thursday night (May 30), and a headline set by international artist Rudimental on Friday night (May 31). Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance here.
Elsewhere in the square, from Thursday to Sunday, you’ll find an immersive pop-up from Expedia, designed to recreate the moment fans arrive in the stadium for the final. There’ll be a stand featuring bright yellow stadium seats, a rooftop viewing platform so fans can take in the view over the square, and there may even be the chance to meet some football legends over the weekend.
All locations of the UEFA Champions Festival will feature activations from UEFA sponsors, a five-a-side mini pitch, skills challenges, as well as food stalls, official merchandise stores and more. But each location offers something different, too. For example, Somerset House will host the Ultimate Champions Tournament, where Champions League legends will compete against each other on a proper pitch. And London’s South Bank will have team back drops and a giant adidas match ball for the perfect photo opportunities. You can see the full line-up here or on the UEFA Champions League mobile app.
Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA general secretary, said: “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the UEFA Champions Festival, right in the heart of central London, as we celebrate the end of another fantastic football season and crown the next UEFA Champions League winners.
“Festivalgoers will enjoy a wide array of family-friendly entertainment, creating memories that will last a lifetime ahead of what is sure to be another epic encounter at the iconic Wembley Stadium.”
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I am proud to welcome the UEFA Champions League final back to London. The return of Europe’s biggest match to the sporting capital of the world is long overdue and I am delighted that thousands of Londoners and visitors will be able to experience the thrill of this special competition through the UEFA Champions Festival.
“This is the start of an incredible sporting summer for London and a key part of our work to build a better London for everyone.”
When is the Champions League final and where can I watch it?
The epic UEFA Champions League final will take place at Wembley Stadium at 8pm on Saturday, June 1. If you’re hoping to catch the final on the telly from the UK, live Champions League football is shown exclusively by TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport).