500 days until UEFA Women's EURO 2022 arrives in Brighton

The opening game of the competition will kick off at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 6 next year.

Three games are set to be played at the Amex, giving thousands of fans the chance to watch the top level of international football on their doorstep. It is not yet known which teams will take to the field in Sussex summer.

Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: "Everyone at the football club has been eagerly anticipating and hugely excited to be hosting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

"Initially these were planned for this summer, but due to Covid the tournament was delayed by 12 months; by the time it arrives I’m sure the extra wait will be worth it, as we are confident we will be able to welcome back crowds.

The Amex is set to host games at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 competition

"We are looking forward to receiving more of the finer details around the matches we will be hosting, and with our commitment to women’s and girls’ football is increasing all the time, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming some of the Europe’s finest teams to our stadium."

The event promises to be the " biggest women's sports event in Europe" with thousands expected to travel to stadiums across the country to watch matches. Millions more around the world will tune in and watch the competition on television.

All 31 matches at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 will be aired on free-to-air television, radio and online as 16 nations compete to be crowned European champions.

UEFA chief of women's football Nadine Kessler said: "By moving the competition to 2022, we guaranteed that the biggest women's sports event in Europe receives the exclusive platform it deserves.

"Alongside the English FA, we are confident of delivering a first-class tournament that will attract global attention and media coverage, leaving a legacy to inspire many more girls, and boys, to take up the game."

File photo dated 27-06-2019 of England's Millie Bright, Steph Houghton, Karen Bardsley, Jill Scott, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze. Toni Duggan, Nikita Parris, Fran Kirby, Demi Stokes and Keira Walsh..

Millions already follow women's football across the globe, and the number of supporters of the sport continues to grow.

Currently, about 1.7 million women and girls play football every year and it is now the top participation sport for women and girls in England.

Among girls between five and 15, an estimated 900,000 play the sport.

As well as offering an opportunity to showcase women's football to the world, Sussex County FA chief executive Ken Benham also heralded the competition as a chance for the county to prove its passion for the beautiful game.

He said: "With the countdown under way and excitement building, we’re just as excited at the Sussex County FA.

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"This is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase what passionate football people we have in this county.

"We hope everyone will be out in force to welcome the competition and enjoy having the world’s best players playing right here on our doorstep."

Green councillor Martin Osborne, joint chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council's tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee said the coronavirus crisis had "strengthened people's desire to enjoy live sport in the city once again".

England's Abbie McManus during the training session at Stade Parc des Loisirs, Le Havre, France..

So, he said, the council is "delighted" to be counting down to "what will undoubtedly be one of the city’s greatest ever sporting events".

“We are proud to be hosting this prestigious tournament and look forward to the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities it will bring for our residents and visitors," Cllr Osborne said.

He added that Brighton and Hove has a successful track record in hosting major sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

In 2014 the city welcomed stage seven of the Tour of Britain bike race and the annual Brighton Marathon is the UK’s second largest.