LONDON June 5 (Reuter) Eight cities are prepa ring for an Influx of 250,000 so ccer fans for Euro 96 the biggest sporting event to be held in England since the 1966 World
Seven English Premier league club stadia and London's Wembley Stadium will host the 31 European Championship matches from June 8 to 30
Wembley, where England beat Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, will be the venue for England matches agnlnst Switzerland Scotland and the Netherlands plus a quarter-final, a semifinal and the final
Birmingham England s second largest city with a population of more than one million, lies in the west Mid-
lands and is home to Premier league team Aston Villa and Birmingham of the First Dlvl skin
Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, will hifat three first round matches Involving the Netherlands. Scotland and Switzerland, and one quarter final.
Birmingham, an industrial city, known for car building, will be laying on. music and street entertainment during the i^hampioqahips
Leeds which lies in west . Yorkshire at the "crossroads of Britain. will be hosting matches Involving France. Spain. Bulgaria and Romania at Eiland Road, home of Premier league Leeds United.
Home to 700.000, Leeds is trying to shed its image as a grey, industrial city with an urban regeneration programme. which embraces 24-nour pavement cafe culture.
Leeds has set up a fan camp
with huge marquees tor back packing supporters to sleep In and has opened and exhibition called more than a game a celebration of soccer culture from the fan s perspective
Liverpool, btrthpface of the Beatles and famed for Its sea port is home to rival English Premier league teams Liver pool and Everton The city tn the north west of England has a population of 450,000. nick named scousern' . ,
Anfield home of Liverpool will host matches Involving Italy Russia and the Czech Rr public and one-quarter final
Euro'96 celebrations will include a Lord Mayor's parade, a river festival on the Mersey, street entertainment comedy concerts and a festival in Stanley Park near the Anfield ground
Manchester, the worlds first industrial city is home to pop groups Simply Red: Take That and Oasis Manchester United won the Premier league and F A Cup, their sec ond double, but neighbours Manchester City were rele-galed to the First Division
The city, with a population of 500,000 Mancunians will be hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Old Trafford home of Manchester United, will host games involving Russia. Germany. Czech Republic and Italy and will also hold one quarterfinal and a semifinal
Manchester's night clubs such as the hacienda" are laying on the main events for Euro 96 and the pubs, clubs and restaurants In the city have been granted a special licence to stay open later thart usual
Newcastle, once famous for shipbuilding and coalmining, is now listed as one of the world's top 10 "party" cities.
The population of 300,000
are railed Geordies after mad King George IV but the name is now used as a term of affec lion and to describe the local dialect
The city is hosting matches involving France. Bulgaria and» Romania at St Jame's Park, home of Newcastle United the team which finished second irt the English championship this year
The city Is laying on 40 events a day to keep fans busy. It i > . ng a .-econstruction of the little known great fire oi Nrwastle and a huge not until midnight beer tent. Europe s biggest travelling funfair also visited the city in June
Nottingham Is anindustrial city in the heart of England, wi.l. .> popu'etjon of 300.000.
The city is heme to Premier league Nottingham Forest, named after nearby Sherood Forest where Robin Hood and his merry men are said to have lived
The city ground Nottingham Forest's home ground will host .natchcs involving Turkey. Croatia and Portugal.
During the championship the city is also holding the In temational festival of football for the disabled and a medtval pageant.
Sheffield home of the British steel industry is a city of 600 000 surrounded by the Peak District National Park.
The city is home to first Division Sheffield United and Premier league Sheffield Wednesday.
Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday, will host matches involving Denmark. Portugal. Turkey and Croatia.
Sheffield has pioneered the return of the tram to Britain's streets. The city is holding a range of street entertainment for visiting fans including a carnival style European welcome and a jaza festival.