Millennium Square is perfect match for huge summer of sport

Millennium Square is set to kick off a massive summer of big screen sport with live action from the Euro 2016 and Wimbledon.

Football fans will be able to follow England’s progress at the tournament in France in a viewing area on the square.

And tennis-lovers will be able to cheer on Andy Murray later this month in a while enjoying traditional strawberries and cream and Pimms in a special-created grassed area.

Because the square will also be the host for the grandstand and finish line for this weekend’s Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, coverage of England’s games at Euro 2016 will start with the Three Lions’ second group game against Wales on Thursday, June 16.

Kick-off will be at 2pm and the viewing area, which has capacity for 3,000 fans, will be open approximately one hour before the game gets underway.

England will then lock horns with Slovakia on Monday, June 20 for what will be their final group game, with kick-off at 8pm.

Should Roy Hodgson’s side progress to the knockout stages, the last 16 game will be shown on either Saturday, June 25 with a 5pm or 8pm kick-off, on Sunday, June 26 with a 5pm kick-off or on Monday, June 27 with an 8pm kick-off, depending upon where England should finish in group B.

Admission to all England games will be free to everyone, but on a strictly first-come first-served basis.

No alcohol will be permitted or served during the England games although soft drinks, catering and toilet facilities will be available.

General coverage of all other tournament matches will be shown on the big screen with the normal street café trading of the surrounding businesses in operation.

Coverage of Wimbledon will also be free to attend and will start on June 27, when, as well as enjoying traditional food and drink, the fans’ area will also be dressed with deck chairs, picnic benches and artificial grass.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, said: “This summer is one of the biggest and most exciting seasons of sport in recent memory and we want to give people in Leeds the opportunity to come together and cheer on our sporting heroes.

“We know from past events that fans create an electric atmosphere on Millennium Square and it can become a sporting hub for the whole city centre. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying these fantastic occasions and wish all our sports men and women the best of luck.”

The square will also be host for the official Team GB FanZone Leeds for the Rio Olympic games as part of the upcoming City Beach event held later this year.

For more details on sport on Millennium Square, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/summersport

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk