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Football supporters will be able to watch the latter stages of the European Football Championship matches on a big screen somewhere in St Helier.
Plans are being drawn up, with the details and location yet to be finalised, according to Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.
Deputy Farnham was responding to a question in the States Assembly from Deputy Lucy Stephenson about whether islanders and visitors would be able to gather to watch games in the tournament, which starts on Friday.
Screenings of games are likely to start with effect from the knock-out stage, which stretches from 29 June until the final on 14 July – Deputy Farnham admitted this was a "gamble" because of the risk that "home" nations might fail to qualify.
In referring to "home" nations, Deputy Farnham said he included England, Scotland, Poland and Portugal as teams likely to draw high levels of support from a Jersey audience.
And there’s more good news from @StatesAssembly today -@lyndonfarnham confirmed in answer to my questions that we should be getting a big screen for watching Euro 2024 backed by @GovJersey & private sponsorship from the knockout stages onwards ???????? (& it won’t just show ???????????????????????????? matches) pic.twitter.com/pG9BeQM8X8
— Lucy Stephenson (@LucyStevoJSY) June 11, 2024
Financial support for the initiative would be provided by both the government and private sponsors, he added.
This came after islander Joel Lucas-Villar launched a petition to “put a big screen and outdoor seating area in the Weighbridge for the Euros” in April.
In the petition, which now has almost 200 signatures, said: "We need to support the local economy and provide a boost to surrounding bars and eateries.
"Many other towns, cities and villages across the UK do the same."
This is not the first time that islanders have campaigned for outdoor viewing of football matches.
In 2018, a large screen was brought to the Waterfront to allow thousands of islanders watch England play in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The game was screened at Marina Gardens, the green space next to Castle Quay, following a successful campaign supported by Constable Simon Crowcroft, Senator Steve Pallett, and Deputy Kevin Pamplin.
Last summer, the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final between England and Australia was shown live at a new 'Fan Zone' in Liberty Wharf as part of a Government-funded community pilot.
The viewing hub offered four 55-inch LED screens in the main piazza, with seating in and around the alfresco areas of The Rigatoni, Seafish Café and Meat and Eat.
For the final between England and Spain, Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq granted an exemption to licensed venues to allow them to open from 10:00 and serve alcohol earlier than usual.
Pictured top: Islanders celebrate England's 3-1 win against Australia in the semi-final from the Liberty Wharf 'Fan Zone'. (Dave Ferguson)
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