World Gymnastics Fan Zone set to welcome thousands in the coming weeks

The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 has today (Thursday 13 October) announced a free, interactive Fan Zone to be hosted in the Exhibition Centre Liverpool (Hall A) at the M&S Bank Arena for the duration of the Championships, which begin on 29 October and run until 6 November.

The Fan Zone, which is open to both ticket holders and non-ticket holders alike, will welcome fans into the world of gymnastics and provide a social, fun space for both gymnastics’ enthusiasts and the general public.

It will be open each day, hosting a variety of free have-a-go activities, from gymnastics to tai chi, drumming, street theatre, arts and crafts workshops and an interactive digital wall and podium. There will be the opportunity to see the Championship medals up close and Liverpool International Music Festival Academy artists will also be performing throughout the nine days.

Current and former British gymnasts will be there as Fan Ambassadors, including Merseyside’s own Dan Purvis, his former teammate and Olympian Kristian Thomas, World silver medallist Becky Downie and Commonwealth gold medallists Claudia Fragapane and Kelly Simm. They will take part in activity sessions, Q&As led by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Ngunan Adamu, and meet-and-greets with fans throughout the Championships.

British Gymnastics will be delivering various taster sessions of their RISE Gymnastics programme and a school’s day on Monday 31^st Oct with Liverpool Schools Sports Partnership. There will also be displays and activities from several gymnastics clubs from across the city region, including City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club, Aerial Gymnastics Academy, Beth Tweddle Gymnastics Academy, The Wire Gymnastics Club, Spartac Gymnastics Club, Finesse Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, Acronova Gymnastics and Birkenhead Gymnastics Academy.

The Fan Zone will also be home to the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 sponsors, with leading fruit brand Jaffa staging giveaways and inviting families to take part in activities, including their exciting Jaffa Pong game. Official supplier Milano Sport will be selling their latest leotards and Gymnova, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of gymnastics equipment and supplier of equipment for the Championships will also be staging giveaways and keeping families entertained with the reveal of their new mascot.

The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 official merchandise will also be on sale, including the souvenir leotard.

On announcing the Fan Zone, Gemma Williams Fox, Championships Director of the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 said:

“The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 will be a wonderful celebration of the sport and a chance to bring together the gymnastics community from all over the world. It is also an opportunity to take gymnastics to the North West and our interactive Fan Zone will offer free, fun activities for everybody to get involved with.

“Through the Fan Zone we are able to offer another dimension to the Championships, all thanks to the support of our fantastic sponsors and Culture Liverpool. We’re passionate about inspiring more people to be active, so as well as gymnastics sessions, the Fan Zone will also host a range of other activities and arts and crafts. I look forward to seeing it in action and working closely with clubs, British gymnasts and local providers to deliver fun activities for all the family.”

Liverpool’s City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle added:

“We can’t wait for Liverpool to host the World Gymnastics Championships later this month. It’s a huge moment for the city and an opportunity for us to show off Liverpool to the entire world, as well as inspire more people to live an active lifestyle.

“The Fan Zone provides opportunities for everyone in the city to try different activities, meet some of Britain’s best gymnasts both past and present, and get involved in the World Championships in a way to suit them – whether that’s trying gymnastics for the first time after having watched the world’s best compete at the M&S Bank Arena, or meeting Britain’s leading stars.”

The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 is an Olympic qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and will be one of the largest international sporting events ever to be held in the city. 550 gymnasts from 75 countries will compete in the global event at the M&S Bank Arena, which will take place from 29 October to 6 November 2022. Tickets start from £10.