England & Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle heads to ‘Fan City’ for England’s opening game

As part of a wave of exciting announcements, Waddle is the first to be confirmed with a string of ex-pros promised for the ultimate Euros fan zone in Sheffield this summer. 

“I’m hoping this is the year we end our trophy drought and crown ourselves as champions of Europe. It’s going to be extra special coming back to Sheffield, where I spent four happy years as a player. Come on England!”

Fan City is set to ignite the city’s iconic Devonshire Green with the electrifying spirit of the beautiful game. 

This immersive, family-friendly 4000 capacity football village, promises an unforgettable celebration of football heritage and camaraderie for fans of all ages and tickets will go on sale Wednesday 1st May. 

Fan City will now also be partnering up with Carling – the UK’s number one beer – bringing a whole host of fantastic drink deals and exclusive perks.

Carling’s long standing relationship with English football is unrivalled and they’ll be bringing a suite of football fun and activities, including goal kick activations and much, much more.

Football speaker and British legend, Waddle, is sometimes remembered for his heart-breaking penalty miss against West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. Chris has a long and prolific career playing for numerous British and European clubs. Prior to becoming a dedicated football speaker, Waddle played in the winger position for Sunderland, Burnley, Torquay, Tottenham, Newcastle United and – an unusual move for an English player – French team Olympique de Marseille, with whom he won the French Championship three times.

Back at home, Waddle was presented with several awards for his footballing prowess, including the Football Writer’s Footballer of the Year in 1993, whilst his popularity also brought him into contact with various other members of the media and public figures; he even contributed to the infamous 1990 World Cup anthem by New Order.

Waddle works as a sports speaker for both live events and journalistic broadcasts. He also contributes regularly to the British newspaper The Sun and has worked as a football speaker for BBC Radio Five Live. Thanks to his vast playing experience and the longevity of his public standing Waddle remains a hugely popular football figure and will be on hand to give live and laser guided analysis on Devonshire Green for England’s opener. 

Scheduled to kick-off on Friday June 14th for the Scotland v Germany game, –  ‘Fan City’ will be offering football fans the ultimate Euros Party, giving supporters the chance to come together in the heart of the city to experience all of England’s matches on the biggest outdoor screens in South Yorkshire.  All non-England games will also be screened for free.

With a raft of VIP packages available, the Sheffield Football Fan Zone offers more than just a place to catch the action. It will boast a food village serving up a tantalising array of global street food and thirsty fans will be able to choose from an impressive selection of beverages, from ice-cold beers to signature cocktails.

And it wouldn’t be a true football celebration without a nod to Sheffield’s rich footballing heritage. Fan City proudly supports local football clubs, inviting them to join the festivities and providing opportunities for fundraising and community engagement. Local youth football clubs in the Sheffield area are encouraged to reach out to info@fancity.co.uk to explore collaboration possibilities.

In addition to live matches, Fan City will feature player Q&As, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere that captures the essence of football fandom. 

Local food fenders who would like to take part in the action are also encouraged to get in touch with organisers via their official email. 

Entry to all games is free, except for England matches, which offer VIP and general admission ticket options for an enhanced viewing experience. Tickets will be going on sale for England vs Serbia on Wednesday 1st May. Football fans are encouraged to buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. 

For more information visit www.fancity.co.uk and follow @fancityuk on social media for the latest updates and announcements.

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