The FA says its final bid "shows how our nations are collaborating to stage a historic football festival for all of Europe".
The Football Association (FA) has today submitted its official bid for the UK and Ireland to be joint hosts of UEFA EURO 2028.
Whilst Leeds missed out on a spot, and The Manc reports that there will be only one Manchester stadium chosen as a potential host ground.
With the next edition of European football's flagship competition all set to takeover Germany in 2024, bidding for 2028 is now well underway - and today, The FA has submitted its final bid for the UK and Ireland to jointly host the tournament.
The final bid comes the form of a "detailed plan" that the FA says "shows how our nations are collaborating to stage a historic football festival for all of Europe".
They also claim that the UK and Ireland hosting would "take the tournament to new heights".
The UK and Ireland's plan for the tournament is described by the FA as a "world-class stadia concept" that's been "tailor-made" for EURO 2028, and is enhanced by the "excellent technical facilities" and "operational experience" of the two countries.
The bid has, for the first time, proposed a number of host cities across the two countries, and confirmed the 10 potential host stadiums - with the City of Manchester Stadium being featured on the list, but Old Trafford failing to make the cut.
Wembley Stadium in London, the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Casement Park in Belfast, and Dublin Arena in Ireland are some of the other potential stadiums.
UK & Ireland EURO 2028 Host Stadiums
Wembley Stadium
National Stadium of Wales
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,322)
City of Manchester Stadium (61,000)
Everton Stadium (52,679)
St James' Park (52,305)
Villa Park (52,190)
Hampden Park (52,032)
Dublin Arena (51,711)
Casement Park (34,500)
The FA says these 10 high-capacity football grounds that are famous around the world will provide the platform for the "biggest and most commercially-successful UEFA EURO ever", with almost three million tickets to the tournament set to be available.
With matches able to be hosted around all four UK nations and Ireland, as well as within different English regions, the FA says it hopes to "reach as many communities as possible" during the tournament.
The FA has submitted its official bid for the UK and Ireland to be joint hosts of UEFA EURO 2028 / Credit: FA
The bid also places "sustainability" and good governance practice" as "top priorities", according to the FA.
"Our vision 'Football for all, Football for good. Football for the future' is a promise to help our Associations and UEFA grow a more diverse and inclusive game, as well as connect with new audiences and the next generation of fans and volunteers," the FA said in a statement.
With substantial Government funding set to come from each of the host nations if the UK and Ireland's bid is successful, the FA says it "shares and supports" UEFA’s plan that hosting UEFA EURO 2028 is "a significant opportunity to transform football development" and "generate meaningful economic, environmental, and social benefits".
"We look forward to continuing our engagement with UEFA and listening and learning from the European football family to enhance our bid plans," The FA concluded in its statement.
Featured Image - Wikimedia Commons
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University of Sheffield submits plans for £300,000 redevelopment of former Henderson’s Relish factory
Plans have been lodged to transform the former Henderson's Relish factory.
The University of Sheffield wants to turn the iconic building into an events, retail and office space.
The building that stands on the corner of Hanover Way and Leavygreave Road previously secured planning permission to be turned into a cafe and events space, but the development never went forward.
The new plans would see the ground floor being used for events such as open days and career fairs, whilst the first floor would be used as a marketing office.
The space would also include a shop selling university merchandise.
In documents submitted to the council, the plans said: "The proposals will result in no harm to the significance of the building or the surrounding heritage assets and are considered to be of public and heritage benefit as a result of bringing the building back into active use."
The striking building dates all the way back to the 19th century having previously been used as a factory to produce Henderson's Relish from 1959 until 2013 when the company relocated to Sheffield Parkway.
So it's safe to say that it really is part of Sheffield's history.
Planners on behalf of the university said: "Overall, it is considered that the proposal will preserve and enhance the character of the building and maintain its status as a key prominent building within this part of the Conservation Area."
What do you think of this then? Is this a good use of one of Sheffield city centre's most iconic buildings?
Grade-II listed city centre bar to open East Asian-inspired street food kitchen
Clementine Hall
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”