Spectacular fireworks will celebrate London hosting seven games of the UEFA EURO 2020 Championship
Sadiq announces Potters Fields Park to host family-friendly ‘Football Village’ next summer
Ticketholders attending the New Year’s Eve fireworks urged to plan their travel in advance
London’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks will tonight (December 31) welcome the new decade with a spectacular display which looks forward to the capital hosting the UEFA EURO 2020 Championship.
The celebration is organised by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and will bring together more than 100,000 spectators along the banks of the River Thames. The pyrotechnic and lighting display includes more than 12,000 fireworks and 2,000 lighting cues choreographed to music, with the soundtrack inspired by London and Europe.
It will also feature some well-known footballing anthems this year as we look forward to London hosting the UEFA EURO 2020 Championships.
In a break from tradition, next summer’s tournament will take place across the continent, with 12 different European cities hosting matches. London has secured the most fixtures of any city, with Wembley Stadium hosting seven games including both semi-finals and the final.
The Mayor announced today that Potters Fields Park, next to City Hall and Tower Bridge, will host a family-oriented, free ‘Football Village’ throughout the tournament.
The Football Village at Potters Fields Park will be a space for people to enjoy the London summer, relax, and soak up the family atmosphere. It will feature free activities for all the family, including cultural entertainment, football drills and skills and community activities. Some games will also be screened at the Football Village, although England matches and other high-profile matches will be screened at larger locations – to be announced.
Tonight’s fireworks display will again start with the sounds of Big Ben’s chimes, despite them being silent this year due to renovation works.
Tickets have sold out and Londoners are advised that anyone without a ticket will not be able to enter the viewing area. Ticket holders are asked to plan their travel ahead and not to bring backpacks or suitcases with them, as they are not allowed in. To ensure that the event is safe and enjoyable for all, the Mayor’s team works closely with a wide range of partner agencies including the Met Police, TfL, local authorities and the emergency services.
Anyone without a ticket will be able to enjoy the fireworks live on BBC One alongside more than 12m TV viewers or celebrate the New Year at hundreds of events at bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the capital. The fireworks are also beamed to TV audiences around the world, reinforcing the city’s position as a global capital of tourism and culture and showing that London Is Open.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m proud that every year the eyes of the world turn to London to see us celebrate the New Year. There is no better way to welcome in the new decade than by watching our extraordinary firework display on the banks of the River Thames.
“This year we will be celebrating London’s upcoming key role in the UEFA EURO 2020 Championship. I am so excited that we are hosting seven games at next summer’s championship. Once again, we will show that London is open to the world as we welcome sports fans and football stars from all over Europe.”
Sunny Jouhal, General Manager at the Coca-Cola London Eye, said: “We’re truly honoured to host such an iconic and global event that brings together so many people in the heart of the capital. The London Eye has become a world-famous ‘must-do’ part of the city skyline since the millennium, and as we prepare for our 20th birthday next March, we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the celebrations!”
Sheila Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Potters Fields Park Management Trust, said: “The EUROs will be one of the highlights of 2020 and we are delighted to be working with the Mayor and other agencies to showcase London as the greatest city in the world. We will be working closely with businesses and local residents to deliver a memorable summer experience and can’t wait to welcome Londoners and visitors from around the world to Potters Fields during the tournament.”
Travel tonight will be free of charge to everyone using TfL services between 23:45 on New Year’s Eve and 04:30 on New Year’s Day. Public transport will be running and will be the easiest way to get around. There will be a special all-night service on most Tube lines, the DLR London Trams, TfL Rail and some London Overground routes. There will be road closures in central London from early afternoon in preparation for the fireworks celebrations. Some buses will be diverted or stop short of their final destination as a result. Engineering work will be taking place on some London Overground lines and on TfL Rail. Taxi fares will have an extra charge of £4 from 20:00 on New Year’s Eve. Extra charges may also apply for private hire (including minicabs) - check when you book. To plan your journey, visit tfl.gov.uk/nye
On national rail services there are likely to be train timetable changes in place and those with tickets travelling to see the fireworks are advised to check the latest updates. Services on South Western may be reduced due to industrial action. A full breakdown of how journeys will be affected by improvement work across London over the Christmas and New Year period can be found by visiting NationalRail.co.uk/Christmas.