The UEFA Champions League Final comes to Wembley Stadium on Saturday 28th May for the first time since 1991. To celebrate UEFA is giving football fans the chance to join the party free of charge at the UEFA Champions Festival.
Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park should prove an ideal setting for the UEFA Champions Festival, a week-long celebration of football leading up to the UEFA Champions League final.
Following the successful fan-based activities organised in Paris (2006), Athens (2007), Moscow (2008), Rome (2009) and Madrid (2010) in recent years, the Festival will feature attractions and activities to appeal to all ages.
The eight- day festival of football will take place from Saturday 21st May – 28th May in London’s Hyde Park and let football fans experience European football’s premier club competition with a range of unique football activities.
With free admission for all visitors and an exciting plan of events, the Festival will enable football fans and novices alike to experience something of the magic of the UEFA Champions League final, regardless of whether they are attending the match.
Fans visiting the Festival will be given the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Trophy, take part in skill sessions with Champions League legends and visit the Theatre of Champions where they can relive the “best of the best” moments in UEFA Champions League and European Cup history, there will be activities to suit all ages and tastes.
The Festival will be staged from Saturday 21 May to Saturday 28 May, closing just a few hours before the final at Wembley.
Opening hours
Saturday 21–Sunday 22: 12.00–22.30
Monday 23–Thursday 26: 12.00–20.00
Friday 27: 12.00–22.30
Saturday 28: 09.00–17.00
Programme of FA events - UEFA will also be putting on events through the week click here for more information.
Saturday
1pm - 5pm Charter Standard League Competition - Charter Standard Leagues from six different County FA’s will be represented by their Fair Play teams at Under 7’s and Under 8’s age groups in a feast of football to kick the Champions League Festival off in style!
2pm - 5pm FA Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
5pm - 6pm Disability Football Session - The FA London region cerebral palsy team will take part in a team training session and exhibition game to showcase the sport on the opening day of the festival.
Sunday
1pm - 3pm Vets Competition - Veterans teams from across the capital will participate in a competition. This competition will promote vets football and how players can move from clubs into this format of the game.
2pm - 6pm Further Education 5 A Side Competition - In this event the reigning male and female sixth form winners from the boroughs of Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Newham & Wandsworth will compete for the title of FE 5 a side Champions.
2pm - 6pm FA Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
5pm - 8pm LGBT Diversity Cup - London is a diverse community and football is reflected in that diversity with Lesbian and Gay football teams playing in affiliated competitions in Middlesex and London.
Monday
1pm - 4pm Coping Through Football - On Monday 23rd May The London Playing Fields Foundation will run a five-a-side tournament for adults with enduring mental ill health. Come and see how the power of football has transformed the lives of one of society's most marginalised groups.
2pm - 4.30pm Street League Tournament - Street League delivers football and education programmes to some of the most disadvantaged young people across the UK. Street League works with 16 - 25 year old NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) groups. Through its structured football programmes, Street League builds the confidence, life skills and relevant qualifications necessary for moving young people into sustainable training, further education and employment. This tournament will see players from different Street League sessions competing against each other.
2pm - 6pm Street Soccer and Freestyle Clinics - 30 minute freestyle sessions run by Sporting Chances will take place throughout the day and will be delivered by Freestyle stars Paul Wood and Paul Klein. Anyone can sign up at the festival to take part in a session where they will be taught how to impress their friends with some amazing freestyle tricks and skills. The Street Soccer Competition will give visitors to the festival the opportunity to test their skills on a street soccer themed obstacle course.
4pm - 6pm Higher Education University Competition - This competitive 5 a side event will see Intra Mural teams from five London Universities battle it out. Who will win through to become the HE Intra Mural Champions?
4pm - 6pm FA Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
5.30pm - 8pm Get Into Football Competiton - The teams playing in this tournament have come from estate based projects, organised by the FA's new Get Into Football Officers. These projects aim to increase participation in football by delivering sessions at venues and in formats tailored to the young people they target.
Tuesday - Women and Girls Day
1pm - 3pm Girls Festival Years 3 and 4 - As part of the build up to the women's Champions League final on Thursday at Craven Cottage, primary schools from Camden show their skills in a girls' 5-a-side festival.
2pm - 5pm Girls Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
3pm - 5pm Secondary School Girls Competiton - As part of the build up to the women's Champions League final on Thursday at Craven Cottage, secondary schools from Islington compete in a 5-a-side tournament to see which girls' team will become the borough champion.
5pm - 6pm Coaching Clinic - As part of the female football day at the Champions League festival we are inviting 3 Kickz programmes from across London to be involved in a coaching session with players from the England Women's team. This is a rare opportunity for these players to meet their role models and learn some tips from the pro's!
5pm - 8pm Women's 5 v 5 Competition - Selected Women's 5 a side teams from across London are invited to take place in a small tournament in the lead up to the women's Champions League Final. This promises to be an exciting and fun tournament for women from across the Capital.
Wednesday - UEFA Grassroots Day
1pm - 4pm Grassroots Schools Competiton Boys and Girls Year 6 - This grassroots 5-a-side schools competition will be for primary schools from Lambeth. It is a chance for boys & girls to show their skills and talent on the big stage!
3pm - 6pm Grassroots Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
Thursday
2pm - 6pm Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Skills Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
Friday
2pm - 6pm Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
Saturday
12pm - 4pm Skills Session - Receive free football skills coaching for children aged 5-11 from The FA Programme, a revolutionary new approach to youth coaching in England.
Throughout the week young leaders from across London will be involved in helping deliver all activities.