A five-day celebration of football kicks off in Rome's historic centre on Saturday 23 May with UEFA Champions League final ambassador Bruno Conti attending the official opening of the UEFA Champions Festival.
Fan magnetFans of all nations are expected to flood to the Arco di Costantino and the neighbouring Parco di Colle Oppio in the days leading up to the final on 27 May, with an array of exhibitions, competitions and entertainment being laid on in advance of the game between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico. The Champions Festival will begin with former AS Roma and Italy midfielder Conti attending the official opening ceremony at 11.00CET on 23 May.
Feel the passionFollowing similar events at the finals in Paris in 2006, Athens in 2007 and Moscow in 2008, the Champions Festival offers a multi-event entertainment programme throughout the day and into the evening, leading up to a few hours before kick-off on 27 May. The UEFA Champions League trophy will be on display, along with the Champions Collection and the Champions Gallery, collections of memorabilia and images reflecting the excitement of Europe's top club competition.
Exhibition matchOther highlights include the UEFA Young Champions Tournament, a football competition for boys and girls aged ten to 16, live music and DJs, football pitches, special booths dedicated to each finalist club – which will be visited by each team's final ambassador in the afternoon of Tuesday 26 May – and an array of quizzes and activities courtesy of the UEFA Champions League sponsors. Wednesday will also see the "Ultimate Champions" Match, featuring a host of former European football stars, which will kick off at 14.00 CET.
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=831189.html
