Wembley Gears Up For Centenary Celebration

Last updated : 25 September 2019 By Three Lions

The Champions League final in 2023 will take place in England with Wembley awarded the hosting rights to mark 100 years since the stadium’s famous opening for the 'White Horse' FA Cup final.

Talk of the Football Association selling up seems to have gone on the back burner since the ending of Shahid Khan's interest and with group stage matches and both semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 also taking place at the venue it means a prestigious few years ahead for the venue.

Next year's European Championship finale will provide a contrast to Euro 96, the last hurrah of the old Wembley when the excitement of England’s run to the semi-final papered over the cracks of a stadium that had reached the end of its time.

Interestingly, at a stage when hopes of a major tournament being awarded, in its entirety, to the FA, look distant, their flagship stadium is the preferred venue for UEFA, safe in the knowledge that major occasions will pass off smoothly and without controversy.

The new Wembley has also once again established itself as England’s home with even run-of-the-mill qualifying matches attracting huge attendances and (thanks to the recent upturn in fortunes of the senior side) generating a positive atmosphere.

The FA have also marketed the upcoming England Women v Germany fixture well, meaning another large crowd will be able to enjoy a family-friendly occasion.

One sideline from Wembley hosting Euro 2020 group games is that England’s warm-up matches for the tournament will be staged elsewhere in the country with St James' Park in Newcastle in line for a long overdue senior fixture according to a recent report in The Northern Echo newspaper.