Former Wales striker John Hartson has urged sports fans all over Wales to get involved when the world’s greatest footballers head to Cardiff for London 2012 Olympic football matches at the Millennium Stadium.

DFP – MPU – Promo – Centre

The iconic sporting venue will host 11 football matches this summer, including the first event of the Olympic Games when Team GB take on New Zealand in the women’s tournament.

The city-centre stadium will also host Team GB, Brazil, Uruguay, Egypt, Mexico and Switzerland in the men’s tournament and women’s teams from Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, and South Africa.

With tickets on public sale until Sunday, 6 May, former Wales captain Hartson is calling on the people of Wales to secure their place to watch the world’s greatest international football stars at the home of Welsh sport.

“’There are some fantastic games lined up for the Millennium Stadium and the people of Wales are in for a treat,” he said. “From Team GB men and women to Brazil men and Japan women, some of the world’s best players will be showcasing their talent in Cardiff. I’d urge everyone to try and get tickets before the window closes on 6 May.”

Fans can get their tickets at www.tickets.london2012.com or via telephone on 0844 847 2012 for the Cardiff fixtures between 25 July and 10 August.

Tickets start at £20 for adults, with special prices available for people under 16 and over 60 at many matches. ‘Pay your age’ prices are available for those under 16 and tickets for people aged 60 or over will be priced at £16. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

So far approximately one million tickets have been sold for football with approximately 1.5 million still to sell at venues across the UK and Millennium Stadium’s Gerry Toms commented that this is a once-in-a-life opportunity for fans in Wales.

“This is a unique opportunity for sports fans all over Wales to be part the Olympic Games and show their support for Team GB as they face exciting opposition for one of the world’s greatest sporting events,” said the Stadium Manager at the venue which has also hosted major sporting occasions such as the FA Cup final, Rugby World Cup, FIM British Speedway and the Ryder Cup’s celebration concert.

“The Millennium Stadium puts Wales on the map as a must-visit destination and following an exciting tournament draw last week, some of the world’s major footballing nations have already started to descend on Wales’ capital city as they make their final preparations ahead of the 2012 Games.”

Last week, Stadium bosses welcomed delegates from Uruguay, Egypt, South Africa and Japan as well as Team GB women’s manager Hope Powell. The Team GB women’s team have been drawn in Group E along with Brazil, New Zealand and Cameroon. They will play New Zealand and Cameroon at Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 25 and Saturday 28 July, respectively.

Stuart Pearce’s Team GB men were placed in Group A along with Uruguay which they will face at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 1 August, Senegal and UAE.

OLYMPIC FOOTBALL – MEN’S GROUP STAGE DRAW

Group A: Great Britain, Uruguay, UAE, Senegal
Group B: Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, Gabon
Group C: Brazil, Belarus, New Zealand, Egypt
Group D: Spain, Honduras, Japan, Morocco

MEN’S SCHEDULE Millennium Stadium

Group A
August 1 – 19:45 – Great Britain v Uruguay – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Group B
August 1 – 17:00 – Mexico v Switzerland – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Group C
July 26 – 19:45 – Brazil v Egypt – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

WOMEN”S SCHEDULE
Group E
July 25- 16.00 Great Britain v New Zealand
July 25- 18.45 Cameroon v Brazil
July 28- 14.30 Great Britain v Cameroon
July 28- 17.15 New Zealand v Brazil

Group F
July 31- 14.30 Japan v South Africa

QUARTER-FINALS
August 4 – 19:30 – Winner A v Runner-up B – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
August 10 – 19:45 – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff