The annual UEFA Champions Festival will take place in London on 23–26 May 2013, it was formally announced today.

The free four-day football celebration, featuring a series of family-friendly activities, will be the first major event to come to the home of the 2012 London Olympics since last summer, taking place on The International Quarter close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

UEFA is inviting fans and families to visit the festival and take part in a series of free activities including the opportunity to have photos taken with the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.

Festival attendees will also have the chance to visit the UEFA Champions League museum to experience all the memories of past tournaments with children able to take part in a variety of skills clinics and coaching courses put on by professional coaches throughout the week.

Festival ambassadors, including former England players Faye White and Steve McManaman, will be on hand to meet and greet the fans who will also be invited to participate in an exciting schedule of entertainment hosted by UEFA Champions League partners.

The festival will open on Thursday 23 May running through to Sunday 26 May following the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25. The festival will include one of the most popular events of the week, the Ultimate Champions Match which will feature a number of UEFA Champions League greats of years gone by.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "We are delighted that the UEFA Champions Festival is returning to London and especially that it will take place on the International Quarter close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the scene of our biggest sporting moment. It will provide a fantastic week-long family event and will revive the spirit of community and celebration that made last year's Olympic Games so special."

UEFA Champions League final ambassador Steve McManaman said: “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Stratford area came alive in the summer for London 2012 and UEFA is very proud to bring the annual UEFA Champions Festival to such a fantastic facility and offer an event that gives both parents and children the opportunity to celebrate football in a truly spectacular venue with free admission for all. We expect everyone will be blown away by the amazing multi-event entertainment programme on offer.

Mark Dickinson, managing director of development at Lend Lease, said: “The International Quarter will become a vibrant new commercial hub for London. We are looking to attract early investment in the form of exhibitions and events this year and are delighted to work with organisations such as UEFA to ensure benefits from these events spread beyond their boundaries to communities in the surrounding areas.”

Further details regarding the exciting events on offer to fans during the week of the festival will be released in the coming weeks.

For further information please visit www.uefa.com