The Football Village is a unique setting in Brussels where football fans can gather to enjoy the televised matches of the 2020 UEFA Euro Cup in an exciting environment, with giant screens and stadium type food and drink and at the same time respectful of current Covid-19 regulations.
1. The Football Village
The Football Village was originally founded in 2010, but the team who currently organises the events, Daniel, Larry and Sergio, started in 2014. The 2020 UEFA Euro Cup is the sixth edition of The Football Village. The Football Village describe themselves as a fan zone, an area entirely dedicated to the football matches where spectators can enjoy a stadium atmosphere. Located at Autoworld in Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels, The Football Village offers a covered terrace with giant LED TV screen, as well as two indoors rooms both fitted with projector screens. This year The Football Village has joined forces with the hospitality company running the indoor bar and restaurant so that viewers can enjoy typical stadium food and drink whilst watching their favourite teams.
2. How does it work?
The Football Village charges their own admission fee which goes towards covering their expenses, and includes a free drink with the purchase. In addition to this the bar and restaurant offers their own menu and spectators can order as they wish, directly from them. All euro matches are shown regardless of which countries are playing, and individual Facebook events are created for each match day. For large or corporate groups it is also possible to reserve their own section and place special requests, such as a special menu for their group.
3. A Covid safe space
Of course, in pre-Covid times The Football Village has hosted events with standing room only, creating a fun and festive atmosphere in which to enjoy the sport. However, this year the 2020 Euro matches are screened in accordance with strict Covid regulations to ensure the safety of all spectators. All fans must be seated, with tables holding a maximum of four people per table and sufficiently spaced apart from others. Food and drink is table service only, with all hospitality staff wearing masks, and the venue allows only one third of its usual capacity to ensure limited numbers and avoid crowding.
4. Everyone is welcome
The Football Village is screening all Euro matches and invites fans from every team in the competition to come along and show their support. The venue sees many Italians and of course Belgians, and since the 2018 World Cup many French fans (the biggest foreign community in brussels) turning up too, but as co-organiser Larry says, ‘we want them all to be welcome’. The Football Village will be open right up until the final 2020 Euro match on 11th July, so if you’re looking for somewhere to watch and support then take a look at their website for more information or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
