Fans’ Embassies have by now become a well-known element during international tournaments. Supporters have learned to refer to them for information and services. They know that Fans’ Embassies have been providing – nationally or internationally – much needed support during their stay abroad following their team, delivered to them by fans just like them. Events like the UEFA European Championship or the World Cup provide an ideal context to set up proper fan hosting measures. Thousands of fans travel to the host countries, enjoy the atmosphere, meet supporters from other countries, some of them even manage to have tickets to see the game. There’s a lot more to the game itself however, and the organizing committees have understood from past experiences how good hosting programmes need to be put in place at such events.
FARE and FSI have been promoting the concept of Fans’ Embassies for years now. The essence of FARE and FSI’s Fans’ Embassy concept is to provide fan-specific information and services to visitors with a “by fans, for fans” quality.
After the positive experience at the UEFA EURO 2004™ in Portugal, the two networks have been financed by UEFA to set up a Fans’ Embassies Programme for the UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland. Fairplay-vidc and POÖH are the two project partners who have been in charge of developing the programme in the host countries.
The UEFA EURO 2008™ programme will be centred around the eight Stationary Fans’ Embassies that will be set up in Austria and Switzerland. These facilities - located in key areas of each host city and staffed with local or international football fans - will be a key information and meeting point throughout the tournament.
Apart from providing general information on issues that would customarily be found in a tourist information office, Fans’ Embassies will be the go-to location in regards to tournament and fan-specific matters such as ticket availability, public viewing facilities, locally applicable legislation, stadium regulations, match-day arrangements, etc. Fans’ Embassies will be open daily throughout the tournament and will bring forth an international atmosphere. You can locate their position in each city directly through the side menu.
Aside from the Stationary Fans’ Embassies, an essential and highly successful feature will be the work of visiting international Fans’ Embassy teams, who deliver street-work aimed at their own national supporters and support local staff. At the moment, eight nationalities will be represented at the tournament by teams of experienced fan-workers. Use the side menu to go to the dedicated International team pages!
