Trophy Tour set for Milan launch

Fans in five major European cities will have the opportunity to get close to continental football's most prestigious club prize when a new UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, presented by UniCredit, kicks off on Wednesday.

Football hotbed
Milan – a footballing hotbed that has witnessed so many great European matches over the years – is the first venue to stage the tour from Wednesday to Sunday. The presence of superstars who have graced the Italian city, such as Luís Figo, Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro, gives added glitter to the event, which is being held in Europe for the first time.

Five cities
Milan, Zagreb (Croatia), Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary) and Sofia (Bulgaria) will be playing host to the tour until mid-October in Unicredit's debut season, 2009/10. A truck will transport the UEFA Champions League trophy from country to country in a transparent state, stopping over in the centre of each of the five cities.

Once-in-a-lifetime experience
A UEFA Champions League exhibition will be set up in each city, including memorabilia, pictures and films. The aim is to provide visitors with an outstanding, once-in-a-lifetime football experience. Personalities such as former players will act as Trophy Tour ambassadors in every city, and fans will be able to have their photo taken with the trophy, get autographs from the ambassadors, and admire the videos and special memorabilia on display.

Photos and autographs
Media activities in Milan on Wednesday morning will be followed by the tour's official public opening in the Trophy Tour tent at the city's Piazza Duomo from 15.00CET. Photo opportunities with the trophy and signature sessions with Luís Figo and Daniele Massaro are on the agenda. Public days take place in the Trophy Tour tent on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a signature session with Franco Baresi scheduled for Thursday between 11.00 and 12.00.

City and club roles
City and local club representatives will also play a full role in the tour events in the five cities, and the media will be invited to press conferences and be afforded interview possibilities.

Sharing the excitement
The Trophy Tour through Europe will allow fans the chance to share the excitement of the UEFA Champions League – a competition featuring many of the world's greatest clubs and players, all of whom cherish the dream of lifting the trophy. UniCredit will also have the opportunity to promote its own activities on this high-profile event platform.

Trophy Tour dates and venues
• Milan – Piazza Duomo: 16-20 September
• Zagreb – Jarun Lake: 25-26 September
• Bucharest – Constitutiei Square: 3-4 October
• Budapest – Felvonulási Square: 10-11 October
• Sofia – Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square: 17-18 October