Ihieaka Ikechukwu is an ardent follower of both local international football. Aside his passion for the round leather game, his leisure period is mostly spent with friends after busy day’s schedule at pubs where he relaxes with friends to unwind.

It was one of such days late in January in the Coal city of Enugu that he had an encounter with the Heineken Champions Planet Activation Team at the bar location. While other lucky consumers were rewarded with branded souvenirs on that night, Ikechukwu was luckier because, the lucky dip draw earned him the right to watch the UEFA Champions League second round knock out matches at the prestigious Heineken Champions Planet with all an expense paid trip to Lagos on match days!

At first the young man could not see any big deal in this because himself and his friends always watch matches at various viewing centres in the cities where they share their passion for their various clubs, but for an all expense paid trip, he opted for the adventure and till date, the nostalgic feeling of the two night experience still lingers in his mind and just like other consumers who have had similar experience at the Heineken Champions Planet in Lagos.

This is the first time since it began four seasons ago that the Heineken Champions Planet is going into full scale nationwide invitation of consumers in some major cities across the country.

*A cross section of consumers and guests in one of the viewing rooms for the Champions League update

“Initially, I thought the whole thing was a farce because I would have loved to win one of their very attractive souvenirs instead of coming to Lagos to watch football matches that I could have watched at home or with friends at numerous viewing centres located around my area.

“I was reluctant but with both flight and accommodation expense already booked I opted to have the Planetary experience I have read in the papers and watched on television over the years,” he recalled.

For Ikechukwu with some others from other locations who left their hotel rooms for the Heineken Champions Planet to have the planetary view of the Arsenal 2-1 win over mighty FC Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in London mid February, they have been given an opportunity to feature in the poll for the five lucky consumers that will be selected to watch the final match of the competition live at the Wembley stadium in London, May 29th this year.

“If I am lucky to be here with all expense paid trip to the Champions Planet, I think I could be lucky again to be in the final draw ceremony to watch the final match live in London this year,” Ikechukwu commented on Thursday morning after two memorable nights in Lagos and about to board the plane for his return journey back home.

The same thoughts rang in the minds of many other consumers who either live in Lagos or were sponsored into the Planet from major cities in the country.

It was a unique opportunity for most of them to network as well share thoughts on various issues relating to Nigeria’s contemporary society considering the fact that most the planetary guest are in the working class.
The consumers, most of who won the right to visit the Champions Planet are outside Lagos were all on hand for the first leg knock out stage of the matches and had a memorable experience during the two_day visit to the House alongside other consumers in Lagos.

Over 150 guests including 24 sponsored consumers outside Lagos every match week have enjoyed the planetary experience of the epic matches like the Arsenal against FC Barcelona; Jose Mourinho’s rejuvenated Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hot Spurs and Manchester United.

“I am loyal consumer of Heineken in Enugu and to me its really a great pleasure to be part of the this unique program for the first time and will be glad to be on this project next season because my family and I love football and follow the Champions League with passion as well.