DUBLIN, Ireland–Ireland’s credit unions are already offering loans for this country’s passionate soccer fans to attend the EUFA European Championship, better known as Euro 2016, in France next year. The event is the quadrennial international men’s football championship in Europe. It is scheduled to be held in France from June 10 to July 10. Twenty-four nations will be represented, with matches taking place in 10 cities in France.
Credit unions have been joined by banks also offering loans to the country’s fans, known as the Green Army. The trip is expected to cost most fans around €3,000, even though many fans sleep in camper vans to cut costs.
Credit unions have more than €5 billion available to lend, said a spokeswoman for the Irish League of Credit Unions. "Credit unions have historically had a very good relationship with travelling football fans and Euro 2016 will be no exception,” the spokesperson said.
The Irish league is urging its member CUs and members to look at the full cost of the trip to ensure they work out the cost of everything from travel, accommodation, to food.
"Our biggest message would be to start a saving plan now. Even if it's only a very small amount, start saving regularly. This will mean that you have a pot of money available to you by the time the tournament comes around," the league spokesperson told the Irish Independent..