A FAN festival will be held in Leigh Civic Square as the town hosts matches for this year's Women's European Football Championships.

The event will take place at Leigh Civic Square from noon to 4pm on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July, 17, and also from 2pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, July, 13 and Friday, July 22.

This coincides with when Leigh Sports Village hosts games at this summer's tournament.

With the town hosting the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland this summer the free event for all fans will offer live music and entertainment; street theatre and spoken word performances and fun family activities including face painting.

There will also be arts and heritage exhibitions; food and drink; activations from competing nations and art gallery exhibitions, including UEFA’s Trailblazers exhibition.

All nine host cities will put on Fan Festival events throughout July.

Tickets for matches are still available. 

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 has announced the huge festival of football this summer, with celebrations taking place across the country when the tournament gets underway at Old Trafford on 6 July.

All nine host towns and cities across England, including Leigh, will stage the series of exciting events for fans to help them get involved in Europe’s biggest ever women’s sporting event.

Iconic locations will be transformed into Fan Parties, where supporters of all nations and families can gather to enjoy food, music and entertainment, as well as watch some of the world’s best players in action on large screens.

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, head of tournament delivery, Chris Bryant said: “Showtime is almost upon us. UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be a landmark, ground-breaking tournament in so many ways and not just for the fantastic football on the pitch.

“All of our host cities are planning events before, during and after games. Whether you are a diehard football fan or just looking to enjoy your first tournament, we want everyone to share in the momentum of this event. There will be concerts, exhibitions, fan parties, match screenings, workshops and much more.”

Leigh Sports Village will host four games at Women’s UEFA EURO 2022, with three fixtures from Group C and a Quarter Final during July.

Portugal V Switzerland will be held on Saturday, July 9; Netherlands V Portugal on Wednesday, July 13; Sweden V Portugal on Sunday, July 17 and a quarter-final on Friday, July 22.