Monday, 05.12.2011
The first tickets selling phase showed that demand for Ukrainian and Polish arenas is exceeding the supply, i.e. stadiums can’t seat all people that are going to come and see upcoming European championship battles. However, if you failed to purchase the tickets in the UEFA lottery, it’s not a reason to be upset and refuse to go to Ukraine and Poland. UEFA officials and local organizers are sure that everyone will be able to be a part of the football fiesta in official fan zones. During the tournament they will offer row of activities such as watch football matches on big screens, talk, grab some food and drink, buy souvenirs, etc.
Kiev: main fan zone in the main street
As we reported earlier, Kiev’s fan area to be situated in the central street of the Ukrainian capital, Kheshchatyk St., and will occupy entire Maidan Nezalezhnosti (often referred to simply as Maidan after hosting famous Orange Revolution) and will stretches till Bessarabska Square. Now there are lots of shops, restaurants, fast-foods, several malls and some public institutions. Also, at least three stations of metro situated near the future fan area. These factors will provide special comfort, and perhaps this variant is the ideal one for the supporters.
The only problem is the other side of the advantages enumerated here. If the fan zone occupies the entire Kheshchatyk St., it can impede the normal schedule of the public authorities, and boutiques (it’s doubtful that EURO 2012 fans will buy thing produced by elite trends!). Moreover, it’s possible that some random people, who want to go shopping, could enter in the fan area because of its accessibility. Besides, if the fan area will be restricted, it will create additional problems and discomfort for tourists and shops, which are situated here.
Nobody doubt that a lot of attractions, shops, food-, drink- and souvenir-stands will be accommodated here. Only one year ago during 2010 FIFA World Cup, one of the UEFA sponsors settled “sample” fan zone in Kiev. Nevertheless, it wasn’t place in the city’s central streets, instead they set up it in the park, but it had commercial areas, places for entertainment, and dry closets.
It’s planned that Kiev’s area could seat some 70 or even 92 thousand people!
Donetsk: fan zone in park
Donetsk’s zone is the second largest EURO 2012 fan zone. More than 80 thousand people will gather together there and will partake in the grand football event!
Donetsk is the only host-city where fan area will be situated not only at the simply very comfortable place or at the city’s biggest square. The fans will be accommodated in the real football place. Therefore after long hesitations, Donetsk authorities decided to set up official fan zone near the “Shakhtar Stadium”. It’s a former-stadium of FC Shakhtar before their removal to Donbass Arena.
Donetsk’s fan zone will be installed in the park, so guests will get hear from the city center passing the bridge across the little river. So Donetsk’s supporter area will be situated in the picturesque place. Anyhow, you won’t see any jungles of stone and high-rises. By the way, Donetsk is going to create one more fan zone, unofficial one, for 50 thousand people (i.e. unapproved by UEFA), however, you could stay there for night. On the contrary, UEFA official fan zones will be closed for night time.
Furthermore, there will be installed stage for performances, 11 fast-foods, souvenirs shops and, of course, five big screens. It’s worth to be mentioned that one of them will have 8*12 meter superficies, and other four 6*4 meters. They will be installed under control of UEFA officials.
