As part of the Queens of Football campaign, a Renaissance-inspired image of some of the biggest names in European football was projected on to the remarkable Turin Palace ahead of the first match of UEFA’s new 16-team Women’s Champions League group stage centrepiece.
The Queens of Football campaign has been created to hero this new-look historic year in the women’s game and the icons who will be bringing the action to this season’s tournament. Having quadrupled the tournament prize money to €24m from this season and announcing DAZN and YouTube as the Women’s Champions League’s first global broadcast partner earlier this year, UEFA aims to demonstrate its continued commitment to increasing the prestige and profile of its premier club competition by showcasing its stars through the Queens of Football campaign.
The players featured as part of the launch include Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Christiane Endler (Lyon), Jordyn Huitema (Paris-Saint Germain), Shanice van de Sanden (Wolfsburg), Sarah Zadrazil (Bayern Munich), Sara Gama (Juventus), Sam Kerr and Ji So-Yun (Chelsea).
Centred around the tournament’s symbolic star looped emblem which resembles a regal crown, the Queens of Football campaign elevates the prestigious and increased competitive nature of the tournament as the best of the best in women’s club football all vie to be crowned the ultimate team in Europe.
Chelsea FC’s Sam Kerr, who played in last season’s UWCL final, commented: "Reaching the final of Europe’s biggest club tournament was a special moment for the team and I. Although we were disappointed to leave as runners-up, it’s given us even more drive and determination to ensure we bring the title home this season.
“It’s always a true test playing against so many talented players from across Europe and experiencing their different styles of play on the pitch, and it’s really exciting that we can welcome fans across the world to be part of our journey as part of UEFA’s new deal with DAZN.”
Paris Saint-Germain’s Jordyn Huitema commented: "It’s a privilege to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League and in the company of such talented players. We were so close to reaching the final last season, and this has made us even more determined to take it that crucial stage further.
“The new format of the tournament this season is a massive step forward for the women’s game and gives us an opportunity to play against such a high calibre of teams which will only make us stronger. It’s really encouraging that for the first-time fans across the world, especially back home across Canada, can enjoy our game with UEFA’s new deal with DAZN.”
Throughout the season, four artists will each take a unique perspective on the action that will unfold, with the players at the forefront of their inspiration. Spanning the mediums of fashion design, digital animation and 3D sculpture, UEFA has assembled a creative team galvanised to bring key moments of the Women’s Champions League to life as part of The Creator’s Project.
Their work will be unveiled at an exclusive art exhibition ahead of the final in Turin, a city founded on rich artistic, cultural, and architectural history.
All 61 matches of this year's UEFA Women's Champions League will be available live on DAZN and free globally on DAZN’s new UWCL YouTube channel.
