By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – The draw for the qualifying campaign for the expanded 2016 UEFA European Championship in France will take place in Nice on March 9, 2014, France 2016 President Jacques Lambert has revealed.
“We were looking for a city with enough hotel beds, and with the ability to hold and organise such an event,” said Lambert (pictured top).
The qualifying phase for the tournament runs from September 2014 to November 2015.
Lambert added that the draw for the finals, comprising 24 teams for the first time, would take place in December in Paris most likely at the Palais des Congrès.
The final itself could be Sunday July 10, 2016, with the opening match set for either Friday June 10, Saturday June 11 or Sunday June 12.
The venue for the final has not yet been chosen, although the Stade de France in the capital is the most obvious choice, with Marseille and Lyon in the frame.
Marseille’s Stade Velodrome is currently being refurbished to increase capacity to over 67,000, while Lyon is planning to build a brand new 58,000-capacity stadium in time for the finals.
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