Milton Keynes could be real contender to host European Championships this summer after Boris Johnson comments

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the UK has made offers to UEFA to host the tournament, which had to be postponed last year due to the Covid crisis.

Speaking to The Sun, the Prime Minister said Britain is ready to take on extra crowd-pulling games due to the success of its vaccine programme.

He said talks between ministers and UEFA continue as organisers try to find a solution.

Before the pandemic, the Euro championships were due to be hosted in 12 different host cities across Europe, but now England could end up as the venue for the entire tournament.

And, if that is the case, Stadium MK, which is one of the most modern stadiums in the country, will almost certainly be making a bid to host one or more of the games.

The venue already has a highly successful track record in hosting major games and capably dealing with crowds of up to 30,000.

So far its successes include three Rugby World Cup games, a Brazil V Cameroon match and a Tottenham V Watford Carabao Cup fixture. It is also due to host the semi-final of the UEFA Women's Euro this summer.

The stadium, home to MK Dons, is also working on its new state-of-the-art training facility at the MK Bowl. This will boast 12 football pitches and a community hub with changing, fitness and medical facilities, classrooms and food and beverage provisions.

Leader of the Conservative Group on Milton Keynes Council, Councillor Alex Walker, believes the council must ensure MK is picked up as a host city if England becomes the sole host nation.

He said: “Sporting events are a uniquely powerful way of attracting consumers and investment, something demonstrated when MK hosted the Rugby World Cup.

“If the postponed Euro 2020, does take place solely in England this summer as it has been reported, Milton Keynes needs to make sure it’s on the list as a host city. It would be the perfect way to give our recovery a boost, secure international investment, create jobs and bring our communities back together after so long apart.

“I will be asking the Council to start exploring the possibility ASAP, working with partners such as MK Dons. We will need to have a strong offer on the table and importantly we will need to make sure everything is safe and secure for fans and others. But, if it is possible, it is an opportunity we can’t pass by.”