The Premier League has arrived in Bengaluru. Legends such as Alan Shearer, John Barnes, Robert Pires and Shay Given will be meeting fans who are at the Premier League Live event this weekend. The two-day fan park takes place at KTPO in Whitefield and will give football fans in India the chance to enjoy a Premier League experience.

Paul Dickov, Graham Stuart, Alan Shearer, Robert Pires, Ronny Johnsen, Shay Given, Gerry Taggart at the announcement of the Premier League Live fan park in Bengaluru.

A giant screen will show the weekend’s matches live, including Liverpool FC v Manchester United. Nine Premier League clubs will have dedicated zones which fans can head to, and here they can also interact with Premier League legends, who will be available to sign autographs. These include Alan Shearer (Premier League Champion), Gerry Taggart (Leicester City), Graham Stuart (Everton), John Barnes (Liverpool FC), Paul Dickov (Manchester City), Robert Pires (Arsenal), Ronny Johnsen (Manchester United) and Shay Given (Manchester City).

Premier League Managing Director, Richard Masters said: “The stage is set and we are really excited for this weekend’s Premier League Live and the opportunity to celebrate Indian fans’ support of our clubs and their players in Bengaluru. It is going to be a fantastic weekend of football action on and off the pitch and we are looking forward to welcoming local fans to the event.”

The Premier League is part of the Department for International Trade’s Sport is Great group and works closely with the British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru. British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru, Dominic McAllister, said: “There is a rapid growing interest in football in India. The Premier League dominates the screens and is avidly followed. The huge success of the Indian Super League has captured the imagination of the next generation of Indians and they now look at football as a serious sport. Bengaluru FC and its passionate fan following have made this city the modern home of football in India. UK football wants to be part of that. I am delighted to welcome the Premier League, clubs, business, experts and football legends to India. From cutting-edge sports technology to skills, we want to bring the best of British football to India and use this event to explore opportunities for collaboration.”

Premier League Champion, Alan Shearer, added: “I am massively excited for Premier League Live. It promises to be a great event, with an electric atmosphere and I can’t wait to see the fans, get involved in the on-site activities, and enjoy watching Premier League matches with them at the park.”

A Star India spokesperson said, “At Star Sports, as the exclusive broadcaster for Premier league (PL) in India, we are thrilled to bring fans closer to their favourite heroes and, most importantly, the sport itself. The Fan Park would provide a distinctly unique experience to engage and entertain PL fans, and following for the league. This is in line with our commitment to nurture and promote multi-sport culture in India.”

Also on site, will be a Virtual Reality zone which will bring a Premier League match day to life for fans as they experience what it is like at a Premier League stadium from the players’ tunnel to the roar of the crowds.

To add to the excitement, fans who attend on Sunday 15 October will get the chance to win tickets for four people for a trip to the UK to see their favourite Premier League club in action. The competition prize includes flights, accommodation and £500 spending money.

Other activities at Premier League Live will include:

• Live entertainment – Live screening of five Premier League matches and local music acts and DJs
• Premier League 360 – through Virtual Reality headsets fans can experience the excitement of a Premier League match day. From arriving at the stadium to the players stepping onto the pitch to the roar of the crowds
• The Kick Lab – fans can measure their kicking speed and accuracy and compare with Premier League players
• Striker Sprint – invites fans to sprint the length of a specially made track, avoiding obstacles to finish in the fastest time possible
• Premier League Trophy Tour – an immersive zone that gives fans an educational and entertaining Premier League experience and the opportunity for a photo with the Premier League Trophy
• My Premier League – Photo booths that will create your own personalised Topps playing card
• Shirt names and numbers – fans can bring their official club shirt to be printed with a Premier League player’s name – for free

This week has also seen the Premier League run its Premier Skills programme in Bengaluru. Premier Skills is a global coaching and referee development programme delivered by the Premier League and British Council. Coaches from Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester City and West Ham United have been training local coaches who will then be able to take their skills back to their communities to run football programmes. All of those taking part will receive an AIFF D-Licence accreditation.

Fans can register for the Sunday at www.premierleague.com/pl-live

Tags: Alan Shearer, Bengaluru, John Barnes, KTPO, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, Premier League, Premier League Live, Robert Pirès, Shay Given, Whitefield