Hamburg will host the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final on 12 May.

The city of Hamburg will host the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final on 12 May – a first for the Northern Europe ‘party capital’.

The UEFA tournament, previously called UEFA Cup, is now called UEFA Europa League, and following a change in format, the competition now comprises qualifying rounds and a group stage, as well as subsequent play-off rounds, with second-round matches leading up to the final.

During the opening event held today (30 November), the event design of the competition and the ticketing scheme were presented.

The ceremony took place in the EAST Hotel Cinema in the northern German city, with the design launch being attended by the German sports minister Prof Dr Karin von Welck, German Football Association (DFB) General Secretary Wolfgang Niersbach, Hamburger SV Chairman Bernd Hoffmann and Germany Under-20 coach Horst Hrubesch.

Ever since Germany hosted the 2006 Football World Cup, Hamburg has been recognised as a football hotspot for fans. Just a few minutes away from the stadium, fans will also have the opportunity to explore Europe’s largest entertainment district – the famous Reeperbahn with its hundreds of bars, pubs and music-clubs.

For more information on the UEFA Europa League, click here.