Final countdown continues with ticketing launch

UEFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will celebrate a new milestone on the road to this season's UEFA Champions League final in Madrid when the host city stages a ticketing launch on Friday 5 March.

The event, heralding the ticket concept and promoting the beginning of ticket sales for European club football's blue-riband match, will take place in the impressive surroundings of the Palacio de la Presidencia de la Comunidad from 13.00CET on 5 March.

Representatives of UEFA, the RFEF and the host club Real Madrid CF will be present along with dignitaries, including the official 2010 final ambassador Emilio Butragueño – the former Spanish international striker – and Esperanza Aguirre, president of the autonomous Comunidad de Madrid.

Media interested in attending the launch proceedings are advised to apply for accreditation by emailing prensa@rfef.es. The launch will feature a presentation on the ticketing concept for the final, covering details such as stadium capacity, allocations, prices and sales to the general public. The 2009/10 showpiece game will be held at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium on Saturday 22 May, kicking off at 20.45CET.

Details will also be given of the activities that are planned for the week of the final in the Spanish capital. The UEFA Women's Champions League final on 20 May at Getafe CF's ground, the inaugural UEFA Grassroots Day on 19 May and the now traditional fan zones will be just three of the ventures helping to build momentum before the climax to the club competition season.