Europa Sports Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Europa Point, Gibraltar; it was previously a Ministry of Defence cricket pitch.[1] In 2019 it hosted the Island Games opening ceremony and will also host the annual Gibraltar Music Festival.[2][3] In UEFA matches, the stadium is referred to as Europa Point Stadium.
Europa Point Stadium | |
 Europa Sports Park in 2011 | |
 | |
| Location | Europa Point, Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°06′38.5″N 5°20′48.3″W / 36.110694°N 5.346750°W |
| Owner | HM Government Gibraltar |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Tenants | |
| Gibraltar national rugby union team (2019–present) Gibraltar Rugby Football Union[a] (2019–present) Gibraltar national football team (2024–present) | |
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| End names | |
| n/a n/a | |
| International information | |
| First T20I | 4 May 2023: Malta v  Portugal |
| Last T20I | 30 September 2024: Gibraltar v  Serbia |
| First WT20I | 20 April 2024: Gibraltar v  Estonia |
| Last WT20I | 21 April 2024: Gibraltar v Estonia |
| As of 30 September 2024 Source: ESPNcricinfo | |
The facility is home to the Gibraltar national rugby union team, as well as other sports such as cricket, darts, gymnastics, squash and more. The rugby uses the facility to host all their home national team games, as well as the training and match base for the four Gibraltar Rugby Football Union clubs: Ibex Buccaneers, the Rock Scorpions, the Straits Sharks and Europa Stormers who all play in the u-mee Gibraltar Rugby Championship. The recent addition of the Trusted Novus bank Youth rugby festival also increases the rugby offer for young people on the rock.
In February 2014 the Gibraltar Football Association had unveiled plans for a UEFA Category 4 multi-function stadium to be built on the site;[4][5] however the following year this proposal was abandoned.[1] Subsequently, the GFA purchased Victoria Stadium.
On 27 March 2021, Europa Sports Park was the venue for the WBC interim heavyweight championship rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte.[6]
In January 2024 new plans were unveiled to upgrade the facilities to meet UEFA Category 2 requirements, which would allow matches to be held there while Victoria Stadium is rebuilt.[7] Permission to use Europa Point Stadium for international matches from September 2024 was granted by UEFA in May 2024.[8]
Florence Nightingale Field Hospital
editA COVID-19 field hospital was set up at the site, in line with those set up in the UK mainland.[9] However, it was not used.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ All National & Domestic Gibraltar Rugby Union teams
References
edit- ^ a b "Gibraltar's Europa Point to become training pitches if Lathbury Barracks stadium gets green light". The Olive Press. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "A windswept stadium sees Gibraltar 2019 Island Games declared open".
- ^ "Take That and Tom Walker to headline Gibraltar Calling Festival 2019". Rock Radio.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sheil, Eyleen (27 February 2014). "GFA unveils plans for Europa Point Stadium". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "Europa Point Stadium – FAQs – Exizting facilities". Gibraltar Football Association. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "Povetkin vs Whyte 2: Rumble on the Rock confirmed at Europa Sports Park". Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ Europa Sports Complex to receive a million Euro upgrade to become a UEFA Category 2 stadium GBC. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ UEFA exceptionally agrees to the Gibraltar FA’s request to use the Europa Point Stadium for the 2024 Nations League and European Club Competition qualifying matches Gibraltar FA. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Field hospital ready as Gibraltar mourns possible virus victim SUR in English, accessed 16 April 2020
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