Get set for a festival of football this summer in Southampton
Fan Festivals will take place in Southampton as a Host City for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
- UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 has announced free Fan Festivals will be in Southampton on match days on 7 July, 11 July and 15 July
- At the heart of the festival will be the Fan Parties where friends, families and local residents can gather together to enjoy food, music and entertainment at Palmerston Park
- Tickets for matches are still available at Women's EURO ticketing
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 has announced a huge festival of football this summer, with celebrations taking place across the country and in Southampton on 7 July, 11 July and 15 July with Austria, England, Northern Ireland and Norway set to play at St Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton will stage a series of exciting events for fans to help them get involved in Europe’s biggest ever women’s sporting event. Palmerston Park and Above Bar Street will be transformed into free to attend Fan Parties from midday to 6pm. Activities at each of the Fan Parties include:
- Live music, entertainment and performers
- Displays showcasing the history of women’s football
- Food and drink
- Football taster sessions
- Exhibits from competing nations
- Official UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 partner activities including Starling Bank football-themed activities and face painting
Councillor Satvir Kaur, Leader of Southampton City Council said:
“We are proud to host the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament here in Southampton. The excitement in the city is building as there is now less than one week to go until the first match here at St Mary’s Stadium, which is Norway vs Northern Ireland. If you’ve got tickets to the events, or just looking for something fun to do with the family, please make the most of the free Fan Parties as they are a perfect way to get friends, families and local residents involved and boost excitement for the tournament. Events like these are great to help cement Southampton on the map, bring people together and grow the local economy.”
More information about the Fan Parties and the full Fan Festival programme can be found at Women's EURO event guide - Southampton.
Matchdays are not the only chance for fans to experience the atmosphere of the tournament. Throughout July the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 events programme will host a range of arts, heritage and music activities all inspired by the record-breaking tournament.
The Arts and Heritage Programme for the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 tournament is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, where the programme will bring the worlds of sport and art together in a national celebration. The programme will celebrate and explore the rich history of the women's game. Thanks to this funding there are various activities at SeaCity Museum and the Libraries throughout July and August. There are also two exhibitions, one at SeaCity, the other on Above Bar Street.
Thanks to support from Southampton Music Hub, the city also has its own Women’s Euro Anthem, created by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! Head to the Fan Party on Friday 15 July to hear it played live by members of the orchestra, joined by local schools, singers and musicians.
For more information about the exciting Arts and Heritage programme running alongside the tournament see UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 arts programme.
UEFA Women’s EURO England 2022 brings the tournament back to England for the first time since 2005. Tickets are on sale now for fans to experience a record-breaking tournament that aims to unite football and communities and amplify the growth of the women’s game.
Prices start at £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s. Visit Women's EURO ticketing.
Other Southampton Women’s EURO Events
June - November – History of Women’s Football Display
Southampton Stories, SeaCity Museum, 25 June – November
A display exploring the stories of local female football legends. See items that have been loaned and discover more about being a female football player in the 1970s and beyond.
Knit and Natter Drop in session
2 July and 6 August SeaCity Museum, 4 August Shirley Library 10am
Join artist Jilly Evans to make a football scarf and discover over 100 years of women’s football in Southampton. Wool, needles and patterns are provided at every session. Finished scarfs will be displayed at The Hidden Wardrobe, Northam, later in 2022. Get tickets for knit and natter.
Drop in creative workshop
2 July Woolston Library, 9 July Central Library, 16 July Shirley Library 10.30am – 1.30pm
Join Artist Deborah Goatley-Birch for a creative workshop at Woolston Library. Create some women’s football themed artwork and have the opportunity to feature in a larger installation. Free Drop-in event, no need to sign up.
7 July/11 July/15 July Match Day/Fan Party
Palmerston Park, Above Bar Street, from 12pm onwards
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 is coming to Southampton and on Match Days we’re taking over the City Centre to bring you a variety of entertainment and activities to enjoy before heading off to the match. Connect with your fellow fans at team zones, enjoy some music, be enthralled by roaming performers, learn about the history of women’s football or take part in a variety football activity. Whilst you are in the City Centre you can also enjoy our fabulous green spaces, variety of shops, bars and restaurants as well as our medieval walls. The day is yours, spend it however you like!
8 July – Panel Q&A event. On the Ball!: The trail blazers of Southampton Women’s FC
Art Gallery Lecture Theatre, 7pm
Most Sotonians knows when the Saints won the FA cup, right? But what about the Southampton’s Women's team? Join football historian Jean Williams as she interviews some of the ex-Southampton Women’s FC and England players from 1970s and 1980s for a special one-off Q&A event and discover the story of the most successful side (with eight FA cups wins) Southampton has ever seen!
Hear their astonishing stories of muddy pitches, international travel, lack of equipment, sexism, but above all their desire and passion for the beautiful game. This talk will begin at 7pm and end at 8.30pm approximately. The talk will take place in the Art Gallery Lecture Theatre. Please book in advance. All monies made from this event will be donated to Hampshire FA to help fund their soccercise classes for women in Swaythling. Any amount you can give will be gratefully received. Get tickets to 'On the Ball!'.
10 July - Performance of The Supercompensation Cycle
Guildhall Square, 12pm-7pm (with live performance element at 3pm)
You’re invited to the pre-match warm-up! The Supercompensation Cycle is an unmissable immersive artwork – take part by replicating the movements of live performers. Inspired by historic footage of player’s warm-up moves and by sports theory, artist Emma Smith’s work celebrates the under-championed expertise of all our bodies and how they move. Emma has worked with hundreds of local residents and football players across Host Cities to capture expert everyday moves. These have been woven together to create a team of 11 holographic films embedded in specially designed sculptures that form an all-day installation. The installation is accompanied by an immersive sound score and participatory movement work, performed with local dancers, in which members of the public are welcomed to join.
19 July - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Careers event
Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, 11am – 12.30pm
Meet various employees of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and find out more about their roles. Designed for students in years 10-12 who are considering career options, particularly those looking to pursue a music career.
