Wembley sell-out? Get used to them!
HAYES: LIONESSES WILL STAY FOOTBALL’S HOTTEST TICKET
EMMA HAYES predicts Wembley sell-outs will soon become “the norm” for the Lionesses.
Chelsea boss Hayes believes England’s Euros success will have an “incredible” impact on the women’s game.
The Lionesses’ planned clash with the United States at Wembley in October has sold out in the space of a day.
The FA only announced the fixture two days after England won the Euros in front of a sold-out 87,192 at Wembley on Sunday.
And Hayes said: “In five years’ time I suspect that selling out Wembley will be something of a norm not a one-off.
“Legacies are hard to predict because it will only be when we look back in five years, probably, that we will see what that jump will actually be.
“If I rewind five years, and see the development and growth of the game from then to now, it’s already been unbelievable.
“Sunday is the day we’ve waited such a long time for. And for once, we are not going to have to sell the sport short, it will sell itself from here on in, thank goodness.
“Because, as I’ve said a million times over, we could have sold Wembley out three or four times.
“And the atmosphere, the generation of fans we will now attract to the sport will be unprecedented. I don’t have a mystic ball. I couldn’t tell you what it will look like, all I can say is I’m really excited.”
The Lionesses will return to the scene of Sunday’s Euro 2022 triumph to take on reigning world champions USA on October 7, subject to having secured World Cup qualification in September.
A message on the Lionesses’ official Twitter account said: “ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! All available general admission tickets for our October international against the United States have now SOLD OUT, with only hospitality options remaining on sale at this time.”
Hayes (left) now believes England have a genuine chance at next year’s World Cup – but says the competition will be even tougher.
“We were very much favourites at a home tournament,” she said. “Having home advantage certainly helps and crossing the globe to play in Australia, with the title of European champions, adds pressure. But we’ve got a fantastic group of younger players coming through that can build on the current success. So as European champions, we will go in as one of the favourites.”
Hayes also praised Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, Beth England and Jess Carter for their contribution to Euros success.
She added: “Great people make great teams. They are relatable. Everybody can see themselves or their children in them. The responsibility to deliver for the nation is something that inspired them and didn’t paralyse them.
“As far as Millie and Fran, and Jess and Beth too, it’s like being a proud parent. I felt like a mum and my kids had just won the lottery!
“And that was something that will live in my memory forever. They’re all really special people.”
EMMA HAYES was supporting McDonald’s Fun Football, which will provide free coaching sessions to one million children and recruit over 100 new women’s coaches over the next four years. Sign up to your nearest session at mcdonalds. co.uk/football