ABTA is encouraging the hundreds of thousands of English, Welsh and Northern Irish fans travelling to France to make the most of their time there, as they head over or under the tunnel for Euro2016 which kicks off next week in Paris. ABTA is also recommending that fans looking for a last minute booking buy their tickets from official sources only, and ensure they have accommodation booked in advance.

The home nation teams have games scheduled in some of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in France, offering an ideal opportunity to experience French food, drink and culture. The games are spread out from the industrial north, down through the country, to the chic and buzzy cities in the Mediterranean south.

Accommodation will be at a premium throughout France as millions of football fans* throughout Europe flock to the country and it is essential that fans book their accommodation in advance. Fans are also strongly advised to buy their tickets from official sources only, as major sporting events are often targeted by fraudsters.

The first round matches involving the home nations take place in the following cities from 11/6/16 – 20/6/16:

• Paris – one of the world’s greatest and most visited cities
• Lens – its football ground is described as one of the friendliest in Europe
• Lyon – both a Unesco World Heritage site and the gastronomic capital of the country
• Bordeaux – the beautifully restored capital of France’s leading wine region
• St Etienne – home to high quality design and architecture
• Marseille – this buzzy, chaotic port has seen a renaissance in recent years
• Toulouse – lovely terracotta buildings and lively student quarter
• Nice – ultra-chic and world renowned sophistication.

Victoria Bacon, ABTA Director of Brand and Business Development, said: “Euro2016 will offer an ideal opportunity for football fans from around the UK to experience the amazing food and culture on offer in some of France’s most interesting and beautiful cities. As excitement builds in the lead up to kick off next week, many fans who haven’t booked yet may be tempted to head off, but with accommodation at a premium and people jostling for hotel rooms, they must ensure they have somewhere to stay before heading over or under the channel.”

ABTA advises that all fans travelling to France read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and its “Be on the Ball” travel checklist.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-on-the-ball-for-euro-2016

Martin Redmond, from the FCO’s ‘Know Before You Go’ team, said:

“Tickets or not, we’re expecting hundreds of thousands of British supporters to make the short trip to France and take in the tournament. And whether it’s in the stadiums; fan zones or local bars and cafes, we want all of them to have the best possible time – regardless of their team’s results!

“But wherever they plan to be, it’s important that fans do the right pre-tournament preparations, like taking out comprehensive travel insurance, getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and ensuring their passport is valid. When in France, they should stay up-to-date via our travel advice alerts.”

*In 2012 UEFA estimated that 1.5 million fans would attend the European Championships in Ukraine and Poland