On Thursday 6 July 2022 the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 football tournament officially began with England v Austria at Old Trafford in Manchester. The Tournament is hosted in England this year across eight host cities.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has been proud to be working with the Football Association on the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Arts Programme, which is engaging fans in a range of musical opportunities and public events celebrating the history, ethos and future of women’s football.
See how you can get involved below!
Listen to 'Beautiful Game' - an anthem to celebrate the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
In March, a national callout invited fans to submit words, ideas and phrases to contribute to a new a new anthem celebrating the Women’s EURO 2022. Inspired by three prompts set by writer Hazel Gould, fans’ perspectives and lyrics have been woven together into a new anthem, 'Beautiful Game', by composer Shirley Thompson OBE and recorded by the full Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plus community singers from each host city.
If you'd like to learn and perform the Anthem, music, lyrics and recordings of are available under the ‘Resources’ section on our website below.
Composer Shirley J. Thompson introduces the piece below.
Momentum: Concerto for Football and Orchestra Challenge
A brand new piece of music composed for the tournament by Shirley Thompson OBE challenges football and music fans to perform a football solo line accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Test your football control by learning and performing a choreographed routine of football tricks that combines with the Orchestra to create the world’s first Concerto for Football and Orchestra. Get your friends or teammates together and film yourselves having a go!
‘Sounds & Stadiums’: Music & Sport Panel Series
Throughout the tournament, the RPO is delivering a series of panel events bringing together experts from music and sport backgrounds to explore the similarities and synthesis between the two sectors. From sports psychology to women’s history, each host city will host one live event exploring a unique topic, with events livestreamed and recorded for wider reach. The Panel series is being curated by Sound Voice.
Panel Event Dates
Fan Zone Performances
RPO musicians return to each host city to perform at local Fan Zone events on match day during the tournament run. Community performers will have the chance to take the stage with RPO musicians in interactive performances of the Beautiful Game anthem and Local Anthems, celebrating the brand new music composed by local people to celebrate the WEURO tournament. Come out and listen, learn and sing along to the Anthems performed by and for local people.
RPO Fan Zone Appearance Dates (check your local fan zone timings for event times)
- Wednesday 6 July, Trafford Fan Zone (Manchester United Stadium)
- Saturday 9 July, Inwood Park, Hounslow
- Monday 11 July, Brighton Fan Zone (Victoria Gardens)
- Thursday 14 July, Manchester Fan Zone (Piccadilly Gardens)
- Friday 15 July, Southampton Fan Zone (Bandstand at Palmerston Park)
- Sunday 17 July, Wigan Fan Zone (Civic Square, Leigh)
- Monday 18 July, Rotherham Fan Zone (All Saints’ Square)
- Tuesday 26 July, Sheffield Fan Zone (with Pop Up Performances earlier in the Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens)
- Wednesday 27 July, Milton Keynes Fan Zone (Station Square)
- Saturday 30 July, Wembley Park – Arena Square (Brent)
Host City Anthems
Between February and May 2022, a total of 80 workshops in tournament host cities worked with local residents to create bespoke Anthem celebrating each local area and its women’s football heritage. Reaching more than 3,000 people across the ten host cities – with no prior musical experience required to take part – local composers and RPO musicians drew out ideas, lyrics and musical themes to create three minute Anthems for each city. Resources and recordings of each host city Anthem are now available open source under the Resources section below, for all fans wishing to learn, perform or use these celebratory songs.
About this project
This project is funded using public funding from Arts Council England, with contributions from The Football Association and tournament Host Cities. The programme has been designed with Artistic Director Hannah Conway, with workshops and events delivered by musicians and leaders from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host cities.