As part of its plans to ensure the whole of Wales has an opportunity to engage with the UEFA Champions League Final and UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, both hosted in Cardiff in June, the FAW created a pan-Wales UEFA Champions League Trophy Experience.
Following the UCL Semi Final Draw, held in Nyon, Switzerland on 21st April, the UEFA Champions League And UWCL Trophies embarked on a “Legendary Journey” to the Welsh Capital.
2017 UEFA Champions League Final Ambassador, Ian Rush, and First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones, travelled to Switzerland and officially received the iconic silverware from UEFA, and brought it back to Wales, where it will stay until the Champions claim it on June 3.
The Trophies were welcomed to the city and paraded publicly as part of a relay from Cardiff Castle to the National Stadium of Wales that afternoon.
After it’s official welcome to Cardiff, the FAW embarked on a pan-Wales trophy tour, taking the UCL Trophy Experience to over 20 venues across Wales, stopping at a selection of schools, clubs and popular public locations.
Having already headed west to Swansea on 22nd April, the Trophy Experience will stop in various locations in North Wales, West Wales, Central Wales and South East Wales before arriving back in Cardiff, where it will be displayed as part of the highly-anticipated UEFA Champions Festival from 1-4 June.
In previous years, the UCL and UWCL Trophies remain in the host city for the duration, but the FAW recognises that events of this scale have the ability to engage the entire nation. A programme of Community Engagement initiatives have been organised, including a downloadable education resource for teachers, a “This is Welsh Football” grassroots photo competition, creative workshops and football activity across the country.
UEFA Champions League Trophy Experience, Wales – remaining dates:
Wednesday 26 April
10:00 – 13:00 Trophy Experience Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech (Closed event)
18:00 – 20:00 Trophy Experience Bala Town FC, Bala (Public event)
Saturday 29 April
All day Trophy Experience Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey (Public event)
Sunday 30 April
11:00 – 17:00 Portmeirion (Public event)
Monday 1 May
10:00 – 13:00 Trophy Experience Porthmadog FC, Porthmadog (Closed event)
18:00 – 20:00 Trophy Experience Cefn Druids FC, Wrexham (Public event)
Tuesday 2 May
10:00 – 13:00 Trophy Experience Ysgol Maes Garmon and Mold Alun School, Mold (Closed event)
Wednesday 3 May
11:00 – 14:00 Trophy Experience Welshpool High School, Welshpool (Closed event)
Thursday 4 May
10:00 – 16:00 Trophy Experience Haverfordwest town centre (Public event)
Saturday 6 May
09:00 – 11:00 Trophy Experience Newtown FC, Newtown (Public event)]
13:00 – 15:00 Trophy Experience Brecon Leisure Centre, Brecon (Public event)
17:00 – 20:00 Trophy Experience Merthyr Town FC, Merthyr Tydfil (Public event)
Sunday 7 May
10:00 – 14:00 Trophy Experience Tenby (Public event)
16:00 – 18:00 Trophy Experience Coleg Sir Gar, Pwll (Closed event)
Monday 8 May
10:00 – 13:00 Trophy Experience Llanwern High School, Newport (Closed event)
14:00 – 16:00 Trophy Experience Friars Walk, Newport (Public event)
18:00 – 20:00 Trophy Experience Cwmbran Stadium, Cwmbran (Public event)
Tuesday 9 May
09:00 – 14:00 Trophy Experience Whitchurch High School, Cardiff (Closed event)
Details of the UCL Trophy Experience will be updated on www.cardiff2017.wales.
