Excitement Building As Europeans 2012 Tickets Go On Sale
Tickets are being snapped up for the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2012 which are coming to the UK for the first time in more than 20 years.

Nearly 200 skaters from 40 countries, including many Olympians, will take part in the prestigious championship in Sheffield from January 23-29.

Men, Ladies, Pairs and Dance couples will compete in front of crowds of 9,000 at the Motorpoint Arena.

It is the third largest Championship involving figure skaters, behind the World Championships and the Winter Olympics.

The main Championship events will be held in the impressive Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, and the nearby iceSheffield facility, the National Figure Skating Centre, is the practice rink for competitors over the course of the week’s events.

Keith Horton, chief executive of the National Ice Skating Association (NISA), said: “The National Ice Skating Association is extremely pleased to welcome the ISU Figure Skating family to Great Britain and, in particular, to Sheffield for the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2012.

“We are sure that all skaters, officials, team members and spectators will have a very enjoyable time in Sheffield.

“Tickets are already selling extremely well, particularly for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday dates. Skating fans should act quickly to avoid missing out on being a part of this historic sporting occasion.”

The baton for the organisation of the 2012 event has now formally passed to NISA following an ISU delegation inspection.

There will be intense media interest in the event, with the BBC, as well as many TV companies from outside Europe covering the Championships

Keith added: “The ISU inspection included visits to the Motorpoint Arena, iceSheffield and hotels in the area and also consisted of meetings with the ISU, TV broadcasters and IMG, the sponsor agent.

“We are pleased that all has been confirmed and we can now look ahead to the big event in January 2012.”

NISA, the national governing body responsible for the development of the sport throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland, worked in partnership with Sheffield International Venues (SIV), Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Event Unit, development agency Yorkshire Forward and UK Sport to put together a bid for the event.

The provisional schedule for the seven day Championships has now been announced and a range of tickets are now on sale – including individual day tickets priced from just £10.

To book call the ticket hotline on 0114 256 56 56, visit www.motorpointarena.co.uk or call in person at the Arena Box Office.

For more information go to www.europeans2012.co.uk.