Bristol City set to host England national team match at Ashton Gate

Bristol City’s Ashton Gate could be set to welcome the England women’s national team to Ashton Gate. The Lionesses won EURO 2021 last summer and now the home of the Robins could welcome Sarina Wiegman’s side to the West Country.

Tom Garry, the Women’s Football reporter for the Telegraph says that Ashton Gate along with Stadium MK, owned by League One outfit MK Dons, are two of three venues set to host the Arnold Clark Cup. The competition is set to take place between Thursday, February 16 to Wednesday, February 22.

He tweeted: “New: @TelegraphSport understands Bristol City’s Ashton Gate and Stadium MK in Milton Keynes are 2 of the 3 venues that’ll stage matches at 2023’s @ArnoldClarkCup (being held from 16-22 Feb). Expect ticket details to be released soon, #Lionesses fans. A 3rd venue will follow too.”

It is a four-team tournament and will involve Belgium, Italy and South Korea. Belgium reached the quarter-finals of the Euros, losing 1-0 to Sweden and are currently ranked 20th in the world. Italy - listed by FIFA as the 14th-best team in the world were knocked out in the group stages. South Korea meanwhile lost to Japan in the final of the East Football Federation earlier this year. Korea are ranked 17th in the world and are the only non-European side in the competition.

The Arnold Clark will enter its second edition after the Lionesses won it earlier this year with Spain runners-up, Canada third and EURO 2021 finalists Germany last. It will act as preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which takes place in Australia and New Zealand between July and August. England and Italy have qualified but neither Belgium or South Korea made the cut.

Matches are due to take place in the third week of February with the men’s team scheduled to play Wigan Athletic on February 15 before the competition starts. Bristol City’s men’s team are then away at Sunderland on Saturday, February 18 which would make the pitch avilable.