Fan zones for Euros
THE chief executive of KA Leisure has spoken of his excitement at plans to set up two ‘fan zones’ in North Ayrshire during the Euro 2024 football championships this summer.
While there will be no dedicated facilities in the Three Towns or the Garnock Valley, supporters will be able to travel to the two special zones at Vikingar in Largs and The Portal in Irvine when the tournament begins in June.
The zones will football fans - and Scotland supporters in particular - who aren’t travelling to Germany the chance to watch the games alongside others.
Malcolm McPhail from KA Leisure said: “We were one of the first local authorities in Scotland who announced we were going to have fanzones, and we will be having them at the Vikingar! in Largs and The Portal in Irvine.
“It is very much going to be family focussed. We are bringing in a considerably high standard of visual and audio equipment and we are looking to get a temporary licence.
“I have been a licensee for David Lloyd Leisure Club in the past so I am anticipating that it shouldn’t be a problem, and it will be aimed at families with food on offer.
“One thing we are looking at offering at The Portal, and we may well be able to offer it at the Vikingar! too, is a barbecue.
“We are looking to host up to 250 people.”
All three of Scotland’s group games, against Germany in Berlin on June 14, Switzerland in Cologne on June 19 and Hungary in Stuttgart on June 23, will be shown on big screens at the two venues.
A range of supporting events are also planned, including a walking football tournament and eight weeks of Euro-themed sessions in all football and mini-kickers classes.
Council officers are engaging with the Scottish FA to help ensure maximum benefit from the tournament, including encouraging the uptake of physical activity across as many sections of the community as possible.
Existing football festivals run by KA Leisure and Active Schools will have a Euro 2024 theme, with the finals being held just before the tournament starts.
There will also be themed ‘football memories’ sessions across North Ayrshire, summer holiday football camps, and a ‘street soccer’ tournament for young people aged between 12 and 18.