Yes, get excited people and get organising your trip to the Welsh capital because tickets have gone on sale today for the 2017 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, which will be played at Cardiff City Stadium, on 1 June, KO 7.45pm, two days before the men’s Final at the National Stadium of Wales.
The UWCL Final is widely regarded as THE top women’s club football match in the world, features the best talent from the best clubs in Europe and is broadcast across the globe. (And you never know, we might just see Manchester City make it to the final this year too!)
The ticket launch took place on 21st February, to coincided with the ‘100 Days to go’ to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final. To mark this milestone, 100 members of Cor Glanaethwy, the North Wales choir who came third in Britain’s Got Talent, performed a flash mob on unsuspecting visitors to Cardiff’s Central Library. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!
Two young girl soloists started to sing ‘The Prayer’ and were gradually joined by other members of the choir, scattered amongst the various areas and levels of the Library, until they formed a crescendo of voice around the balconies of the contemporary building. Cardiff Library’s iconic open plan design provided amazing acoustics for the performance. After the flash mob event in the library, the choir took the street and sang in front of the UEFA star-ball structure that had been erected the night before.
Wales manager Jayne Ludlow, who lifted the trophy as captain of Arsenal in 2007, is also the official 2017 UWCL Final Ambassador and thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the launch experience.
“It’s an honour to be an ambassador and to be here to witness such a stirring celebration of women’s football,” explained Ludlow. “Seeing the huge UEFA star-ball in the city centre really brings home to you what a significant event this is for Wales, and what an opportunity it gives us to grow women’s football participation as a result. The UEFA Women’s Champions League is arguably the strongest competition for top level female players in the world. Having played in the competition with Arsenal and having had the honour of lifting the trophy in 2007, it will be great to welcome the world’s best female footballers to Wales in June.”
“I was lucky enough to watch Cor Glanaethwy today and see the reactions of the general public when they performed,” Ludlow added. “Wales as a nation is known throughout the world for our singing and this was the perfect way to convey the sense of pride we have in hosting the final.”
Ludlow was joined by members of the Wales team to help launch the event, and the players couldn’t help but to be caught-up in the enthusiasm and inspired by the display and prospect of the big game.
“It’s huge, it’s an absolutely massive event,” explained Helen Ward to FAW.cymru. “It’s going to create a lot of interest and support as the ticket prices are very affordable for anyone that wants to come along. It’s a great chance for Wales to see the pinnacle of women’s football. I’m really looking forward to it and really excited to see some of the best players in Europe and the world come over to play in the final.”
“It’s a great way to introduce young girls to the very best players and the standards they can aspire to,” said Nadia Lawrence. “I’ll be there to watch the final. I can remember when I was younger watching the Women’s World Cup on television and how much that inspired me, so it’s great as a way of showing kids there is a career in women’s football.”
Lawrence’s comments were echoed by Gemma Evans. “This is huge for women’s football, for the young players and older players. Sometimes you don’t realise just how good some of these top players are until you play against them. These are the players we want to strive to be, so to see them playing here in Wales is a great opportunity for everyone.”
(Karen Espelund, Chair of the UEFA Women’s Football Committee, presented one of the choir with the first ticket sold, for the final.)
It’s not just the players who are filled with anticipation. Speaking of the building excitement for the Final in Wales, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Ken Skates, said:
“With 100 days to go to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, the countdown really has begun. Everyone is looking forward to welcoming the very best of European Women’s club football to Wales in June.
“The event will no doubt raise the profile of Wales within the game, and it will hopefully inspire and attract more female players to take up the sport. Some of the top players in the world will playing and I know that Cardiff is going to be a fantastic venue for the final.”
And FAW CEO Jonathan Ford is also delighted that such a high profile game is taking place in Wales and shares hopes that it will inspire fans and future players:
“Staging major football finals is one of the objectives contained within the FAW’s Strategic Plan – we believe that hosting both the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final and 2017 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final will have a positive and long-lasting effect on Welsh football,” he explained. “The UEFA Women’s Champions League Final represents the highest standards in Women’s football, and I’d urge everyone to come to Cardiff City Stadium on 1st June to witness what will undoubtedly be a fantastic match, an incredible family atmosphere, and one of the most memorable finals to date.”
UWCL FINAL TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now via: www.uwclf2017.co.uk
Ticket Prices: Children (16 and under) & concessions £3. Adults £6.
Group Tickets: A 25% discount applies to the cost of tickets on all bookings of 10 tickets or more.
Photo: FAW.cymru
