Arsenal’s pivotal December 18th tilt versus Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League has been relocated from the Emirates Stadium, a 60,000-capacity stadium where the men’s team features, to tiny Meadow Park — a tiny 4,500-capacity ground in Borehamwood and former home of Arsenal WFC.
In a statement released on the Arsenal FC website, the English club cited the men’s team’s draw in the Carabao Cup — the less prestigious these days of England’s two domestic cup competitions, which also includes the FA Cup — as the reason why. Arsenal men are set to play Crystal Palace in the quarter-final now on the same date.
Meadow Park is home to Boreham Wood, a club competing in the National League South, the sixth tier of English professional football.
Arsenal stated in its release that it is also offering arrangements to fans who have purchased tickets already as well as a “gesture of goodwill” which includes the option for a 20 voucher for retail merchandise.
The announcement was met with dismay by fans and news outlets alike, with German outlet DW Sports decorating the news with some choice emojis:
Bayern Munich’s #UWCL match against Arsenal has been moved from Emirates to Meadow Park due to a scheduling conflict with Arsenal’s men’s team.
Tickets for the 60,000-seat stadium were on sale since September. Ticket holders can now opt for a full refund. ♀️#ARSFCB #UEFA pic.twitter.com/JGHNA6OgqX
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) November 18, 2024
Bayern Munich’s #UWCL match against Arsenal has been moved from Emirates to Meadow Park due to a scheduling conflict with Arsenal’s men’s team.
Tickets for the 60,000-seat stadium were on sale since September. Ticket holders can now opt for a full refund. ♀️
#ARSFCB #UEFA
According to reporting in ESPN, the number of tickets sold for the UWCL match between the Gunners and the FC Bayern Frauen had already exceeded (7,500) the capacity at Meadow Park (4,500) — and so full restitution will not be possible for all fans hoping to see the match in person.
The Bavarians currently sit top of UWCL Group C with a perfect three wins from three games. But Arsenal is only three points behind, having lost already to Bayern. Current interim coach Renée Slegers took charge in the week after that defeat — a 5-2 result at the FC Bayern Campus — and has the Gunners flying high. The last three results have been impressive: 5-0 over Brighton, 4-0 over Juventus, and 3-0 over Tottenham Hotspur.
The stage had been set for a big clash under the lights. The stakes are no less large — but now the venue is much, much smaller.
