Milton Keynes should 'grasp chance' to host Euro 2020, says opposition leader

Plans to host the postponed Euro 2020 tournament across Europe are in jeopardy with the Coronavirus still rife across the continent.

Prior to the pandemic the Euros was slated to be hosted in 12 different 'host cities' including: London, Glasgow and Munich, among others.

To limit travel and the potential spread of Covid, England could emerge as a potential venue for the entire tournament.

The UK has vaccinated more people than any other European country and also has the stadiums and facilities to take on a tournament of that scale.

The new target set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is for every adult in the Uk to be offered the first dose of a vaccination against Covid by July.

Euro 2020 is scheduled to run from June 11 until July 11.

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.”

Milton Keynes, of course, boasts one of the most modern stadiums in the country, Stadium MK. The all-seater stadium can hold 30,500 people and will host games during the Women's Euro 2022 competition next summer.