The draw for the 2020 European Championships will be held live in Dublin in December of next year.

Each of the 13 host cities for the 2020 tournament were invited to bid for the draw with Ireland, led by the FAI, Dublin City Council, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Dublin Convention Bureau proving successful.

The live draw will take place on December 2, 2018, in the Convention Centre and will be attended by 650 guests, over 350 media representatives and 70 broadcasters and will be screened to an audience of 140million across the world.

Welcoming the news, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ardmheara Michael McDonncha, said: "On behalf of the citizens of Dublin, I'm delighted by UEFA's decision to hold the draw for EURO 2020 in our great city."

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said: "I am very pleased to hear of the success of the bid to host the EURO 2020 qualifying draw in Dublin. The hosting of such prestigious televised sporting events is a fantastic opportunity to boost the profile of Dublin and Ireland, and to highlight our facilities for international conferences and events."

FAI CEO, John Delaney, said: "I am delighted that Dublin has been selected to host the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying draw. Along with Dublin being one of the host cities for the tournament, the hosting of the draw in our capital city demonstrates the high regard in which Ireland is held as a tournament host.

"I would like to thank our bid team for their tremendous work in securing this prestigious event, and recognise the partnership and collaborative efforts of all parties working together through the FAI, Dublin City Council and Government, through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as well as the Dublin Convention Bureau.

"The live televised event will be broadcast throughout the world and puts Irish football, as well as Ireland as a nation, at the forefront of international sport."

Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan, said: "The 60th anniversary of the EUROs will be a wonderful sporting occasion eagerly anticipated by all supporters.

"Dublin City Council is particularly proud to have played its part in securing Dublin as a host city for the matches and the EURO 2020 qualifying draw."

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, said: "I want to extend my congratulations to the team who worked with UEFA to secure Dublin as a host for this important occasion in the European footballing calendar.

"We are very much looking forward to extending a warm welcome to all the international delegates who will be attending in December 2018."

Online Editors