You are in > manchester.com  > News > Manchester council relents on UEFA cup final screens

General Manchester news

Manchester council relents on UEFA cup final screens

08/05/2008

Footballs fans that cannot make it to the UEFA cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium will get the chance to watch the match on large outdoor televisions at dedicated fan zones in the city centre.

Screens for the Rangers versus Zenit St Petersburg match will be placed in Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens but there will be no screens at - or near - the stadium itself.

The move is something of a U-turn. Until today, officials in Manchester had been urging supporters not to converge on the city if they were not ticketholders.

Councillor Pat Karney said: "Fans zones with entertainment and access to food and drink throughout the day have always been part of our plans for this event.

"Pubs and clubs across the city will also provide opportunities for many thousands of fans to enjoy the match and soak of the atmosphere of the big day."

The council will also lay on shuttle buses to help ticketholders travel from the city centre to the stadium.

As many as 100,000 supporters are expected to travel to Manchester for the game despite the fact that only 13,000 tickets have been sold so far.