Chelsea's Stamford Bridge to stage women's final

Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge will be the host venue for the UEFA Women's Champions League final on Thursday 23 May 2013.

It means the biggest event in European women's club football returns to London for the second time in three years after Fulham FC's Craven Cottage hosted the 2011 showpiece.

The final of the women's competition will be held two days prior to the men's UEFA Champions League final, which takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said: "The UEFA Women's Champions League final showcases the best women's club football in Europe and Stamford Bridge, home of the men's 2012 UEFA Champions League winners, is the ideal venue to host this prestigious event. UEFA is pleased to be bringing the UEFA Women's Champions League final back to London for what will be another successful event."

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay said: "It is an honour for Chelsea FC that UEFA has chosen to bring the showpiece match of this prestigious women's football competition to our stadium. Stamford Bridge has played host to many great football events and we are looking forward to adding the UEFA Women's Champions League final to that list."

England women's coach Hope Powell said: "To host the UEFA Women's Champions League final in a stadium with the history and reputation of Stamford Bridge is fantastic and shows the prestige of this game. The fan base for Chelsea Ladies is ever increasing and this is a great opportunity to further raise the profile of the sport and for fans to see some of the best female footballers in Europe in action. I'm sure every player in the competition will be desperate to make it to the final and showcase their skills at such a great stadium."

The 2013 UEFA Women's Champions League final ambassador will be Arsenal LFC defender and former England captain Faye White. A winner of the UEFA Women's Cup in 2007, she said: "The 2013 UEFA Women's Champions League final will be the highlight of the European women's football club calendar and I can't wait to see it return to London."

Ticket details for the event will be announced at a later date.

Arsenal are one of the teams in action in the round of 16 second legs on Wednesday and Thursday hoping to clinch places in the 20 November draw for the remainder of the competition.

Tournament calendar
Quarter-final & Semi-final draw: 20 November
Quarter-finals: 20/21 & 27/28 March
Semi-finals: 13/14 & 20/21 April
Final (Stamford Bridge): 23 May