With tens of thousands of Euro 2020 tickets cancelled by host stadiums this summer due to the pandemic, despondent diehards across the UK are looking to recreate an authentic pitch-side experience at home.

England fans, with the help of football legend Chris Kamara and Subway, have today (9th June) unveiled a once in a lifetime football stadium experience in their back garden.

The football-fanatic Feehely family, from Woking patiently awaited the Euros after its year-long delay, only to be left distraught when their 2020 tickets were cancelled due to reduced stadium capacity. Thinking on their feet, father Alex (56) and mother Maxine (55), shared the news of their ticket cancellations with sandwich giant Subway, via a social media competition, who rolled to the rescue of the avid footie fans.

Subway enlisted an expert team of designers and technicians to create a panoramic garden stadium for the boys that would immerse them in the matches from home. The installation features state-of-the-art arena elements such as the grandest of grandstands, a stunning 2-metre screen, immersive surround sound, a professional-quality AstroTurf pitch and dazzling floodlights for evening fixtures.

Attending the opening ceremony was VIP guest and legendary football pundit, Chris Kamara, ahead of England’s first clash against Croatia this Sunday (13 June).

The Feehely family now plan to host Covid-safe Euro parties for friends over the coming weeks, catered by Subway who will send free deliveries of Footlong Subs, Nacho Chicken Bites, Potato Crispers and Nachos, which are included in the new Euros ‘Match Day Bundles’ available via delivery.

Chris Kamara said: “What the Feehely family have gone through this year is unbelievable. It represents the disappointment many proud football fans have faced, so I was excited by the opportunity to help bring an authentic football experience to this family. Football fans can still snatch a late winner and stage a perfect celebration at home this summer.”

Dad, Alex Feehely said: “Following the cancelled tickets we wanted to try and make the Euros as special as possible, but we were worried we didn’t have the right set up to entertain family and friends. Thankfully, Subway was kind enough to help us out with an unforgettable experience – perhaps even better than those seats at Wembley.”

The Feehelys are not alone in considering grand at-home stadium arrangements. A Subway poll of 2,000 British adults found that 60% of the nation are planning on tuning in to the Euros this summer, with 70% explaining that they would prefer to watch matches in the comfort of their own home, or a friends, rather than at the pub (20%).

With half (46%) of Brits claiming pubs are too crowded to enjoy watching the football and a further 31% risk missing big games due to not being able to see the screen – Subway’s garden stadium transformation provides inspiration for the pragmatic 34% who are planning to host or attend football parties during the return of sport this summer. As a result, one third of us (31%) agree they will be ordering in takeaway to avoid the hassle of cooking (23%) and missing any of the football action (31%) or the chance to socialise (29%).

To tap into this demand, and with football fever building, Subway has launched new Match Day Bundles, with options including their new Nacho Chicken Bites, Nacho Chicken Sub and Potato Crispers, to make it easier than ever to cater for hungry half-timers this summer.  

Mays Elansari, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Subway, said: “Thousands of football fans are missing out on a real stadium experience this summer, so today we’ve surprised one lucky family by delivering the next best thing! Subway’s ultimate garden stadium not only replicates the electric atmosphere of a true match experience, but also gives the family a chance to enjoy our craveable meals and tasty new sides.”

Bundles available via Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat:

· Bundle for 2 (Small): 2 x 6-inch Subs, Sharer Nachos, 3 Cookies & 1.5* Bottle of Pepsi from £15.59

· Bundle for 2 (Large): 2 x Footlong Subs, Sharer Nacho, 3 Cookies & 1.5L* Bottle of Pepsi from £19.79

· Bundle for 4: 2 x 6-inch Subs & 2 x Footlongs, sharer Nachos and choice of two of 9 Chicken Bites, Large Potato Crispers or 6 Cookies & 1.5L* Pepsi from £31.19- Available on Just Eat from 2nd June and UberEats from 16th June

· *1.5L in GB. 2L in NI+ROI