ADVERTORIAL

TRAVEL IN STYLE Football and luxury don’t tend to go hand-in hand but UEFA have made sure that anyone travelling to this summer’s Euro 2016 tournament will be more pampered than the players

or football fans, there is only one destination on the bucket list this year—UEFA EURO 2016, which is set to kick off in June. Hosted in France, the location could not get much better for football enthusiasts worldwide with direct flights to the capital, where a number of the biggest games (including the opening ceremony and the final) will take place and ports where yacht owners can hop on and off to enjoy matches along the famous Cote d’Azur. The 15th European championship will see 24 teams playing for a place in the final. Twenty-four national squads will have trained hard, gearing up mentally and physically to give it their best shot in the hope of lifting the famous Henri Delaunay trophy on July 10 at the Stade de France in Paris. Everything is in full swing in France, which hosted the competition in 1960 and 1984. There is an exciting line-up of entertainment, public viewings and fan zones. Above all, however, purpose-built or fully refurbished stadiums—revitalised with a $1.8 billion investment—are being prepared for players, supporters and the global audience. The programme that has caught the attention of elite jetsetters is that of Corporate VIP Hospitality, a programme designed to cater for those with specific needs and high expectations. With 10 years of heritage, UEFA has a tried and tested product, which is based on its success during the acclaimed club finals, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The lucky few will enjoy their own private sky boxes, nestled in the best locations within the stadiums with the option of the best category one seats for when they feel like joining the crowds. Access to the stadium is prolonged for hospitality clients allowing lengthier attendance than for the regular matchgoer, with entry permitted three hours before and access for 90 minutes afterward. Once within the

stadium walls, private butlers keep the grand cru champagne flowing while the impeccable five-star service includes signature dishes from the Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon. The service is renowned in the sporting world, with organisers of the World Cup and other major sporting events trying year-onyear to reach the same standards of UEFA’s hospitality offering and its eye for detail. The real question for the rich list is not whether or not to go but which match to attend. With all the great things that France has to offer, it surely comes down to a matter of geographical preference. With all the renovated stadia equipped with newly furnished sky boxes and lounges to accommodate the influx of VIP guests, the choice lies between the streets of Paris and the allure of the southern sun and famous beaches in the likes of Nice, Marseille and Bordeaux. Once you have decided on your destination, it is on to the fun part, much like choosing between luxury treatments in a spa. The programme is unparalleled in its set-up and is the best mix of football and luxury, letting guests choose just how extravagant their quarters are and whether to go solo or share them. Tailor-made programmes enable the client to attend the games most pertinent to them and their guests. It is nothing less than a well-oiled machine, with everything handled in-house. UEFA even sells directly to try and save its clients from the black market, which is rife in markets outside Europe. The association wants to maintain top-level customer service, which it says is only possible when it manages the entire programme, from selling tickets directly to welcoming guests personally. This is how the world’s wealthy and top businesses will watch the game, in style and luxury. For more info visit uefa.com/hospitality

The lucky few will enjoy their own private sky boxes, nestled in the best locations within the stadiums

2016 MAY / JUNE

57