Keys to Wembley handed to FA

Construction firm Multiplex has finally handed over the keys to Wembley National Stadium to The Football Association (FA), more than a year after it was originally scheduled to open.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: “This is a significant step towards staging this year’s FA Cup Final and opening the new stadium.”

The £800m facility must now host two ‘ramp-up’ events of up to 60,000 capacity in order to obtain a General Safety Certificate from the London Borough of Brent ahead of the Cup Final on 19 May.

The first event will be a Community Day on 17 March, permitting local residents to view the new 90,000-capacity stadium.

The second will be the England Under-21 International against Italy on 24 March. Tickets for the event went on sale today (12 March).

Wembley National Stadium’s managing director Alex Horne said: “We will continue post-handover with Multiplex and their sub-contractors to finalise all aspects of the stadium.

“We look forward to welcoming our neighbours through the turnstiles for the Community Day and we are delighted to welcome the Under-21 team to play the first game on the hallowed turf.” Details: www.thefa.com