The deadline to become a volunteer at UEFA EURO 2020 is on Friday 12 July.
You could enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make friends, learn new skills and help showcase both London and Wembley Stadium.
London will play an integral part at UEFA EURO 2020, as to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the tournament will be staged in 12 cities across Europe next summer with Wembley hosting seven games, including both semi-finals and the final.
And exactly one year before the next European champion is crowned, we’ll be closing applications for volunteers after a one-month campaign, with our ‘volunteer scouts’ already poised to pick their teams.
The UEFA EURO 2020 Volunteer Programme will recruit around 1300 volunteers to assist with the delivery of the tournament.
There are roles available in accreditation, event transport, logistics, media services, mobility makers and ticketing & spectator services, as well as various other key departments.
You can also apply to be part of a 2000-strong London Squad, working with the Mayor of London’s office to help welcome visitors to the capital at tourist hotspots, transport hubs and official fan zones.
“It’s giving people the opportunity to work on a big event,” says The FA’s UEFA EURO 2020 ambassador Rio Ferdinand, who was 18 the last time England hosted a European Championship back in 1996.
“At Wembley, there are going to be around 1300 volunteers based there, so to be one of those and feel that energy, for that feeling alone, it’s worth getting involved in.”
Applications opened on 12 June – a year before UEFA EURO 2020 kicks off at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico – and once the deadline passes on Friday, candidates will be interviewed by our specially-chosen ‘scouts’.
These are a select group of seasoned volunteers who have experience motivating teams and have been mentored by The FA.
They range from 18-60 and come from different backgrounds and parts of England, but are united by their passion for football and, specifically, UEFA EURO 2020.
“It’s really cool to hear Rio Ferdinand telling volunteers to sign up,” says Manchester United fan Jisan Fardeen, who at 18 is the youngest volunteer scout and is about to study Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University London.
“I have volunteered a lot before and see this as an amazing opportunity to improve my skills and strengthen my CV.
“Volunteering at UEFA EURO 2020 is great for people of all ages. If you’re young, like me, you can gain so much knowledge and that will really help in life. Volunteering also builds up my confidence. It makes me feel good that I am part of such an important tournament.”
Julia Stepanova-Rybicka, a 27-year-old volunteer from Russia, is also grateful of the opportunity to get involved.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to volunteer in such a massive and well-known event," she said.
"I grew up in a small part of Eastern Siberia called Irkutsk where events like UEFA EURO 2020 are only watched in homes or sport bars. I always felt these events were kind of staged on another planet. Then I moved to London, just around the corner from Wembley Stadium, and the opportunity to volunteer, and be a part of the tournament, became so real!
“Volunteering is a dream come true. I can learn new skills and help showcase London. It’s so exciting to know I can help bring the city to life and play my part in UEFA EURO 2020 rather than just watch from the comfort of an armchair. I hope other volunteers, from all over the world, flock to London to be part of such a cosmopolitan event.”
“I’ve just got the bug,” adds qualified referee Kevin Stewart – the oldest volunteer scout having turned 60 this year.
“I’m a bit of a serial volunteer. I also worked at London 2012 and Silverstone.
“Volunteering at UEFA EURO 2020 is going to be a lot of fun and is something people of all ages can do. It’s going to be fantastic for London, too, and a great way to make new friends and meet lots of different people from all over the world.
“For me, personally, it’s also something exciting to look forward to over the next year. Unfortunately, I lost my only daughter, Roseanne, in a car accident four years ago and I have volunteered since in her memory.
“My partner also faced a major health scare two years ago, so recent times have been tough. But volunteering puts a smile on my face. I just love helping people and doing so, in turn, helps me because it keeps me positive.”
Our volunteer scouts are not only inspiring, but also play a vital role in recruiting the right teams to make the London games at the tournament a success. Don’t miss out on your chance to join them.
So complete your application now, and in doing so you can play your part in an historic UEFA EURO 2020 that will end at Wembley Stadium and hopefully see England involved in their first major tournament on home soil since 1996.
Apply here to become a UEFA EURO 2020 volunteer by 2359 on Friday 12 July .
