World Cup Bid Book delivered to FIFA

England 2018 officially delivered its FIFA World Cup™ Bid 2018/2022 in Zurich on Friday promising the highest ever commercial revenues for FIFA and committing to invest in a series of sustainable legacy projects around the world.

The official Bid Book was presented to FIFA President, Sepp Blatter at FIFA House by England 2018 Vice-President David Beckham, who headed a five-person delegation which also included 17-year-old South African teenager Nothemba Bambiso, FIFA Executive Committee member Geoff Thompson, England 2018 and Football Association Chairman Lord Triesman, and England 2018 Chief Executive Andy Anson.

England 2018’s bid book of 1,752 pages contains details of England’s vision for the FIFA World Cup™ Finals which will build on the country’s passion, diversity and technical expertise to deliver the most commercially successful FIFA World Cup™ in history, providing the inspiration for extensive football, social, human and environmental development on a global scale.

Amongst England’s legacy plans is a new global fund for football known as “Football United” which will engage people all over the world in fund raising activities to be invested in football and social programmes aligned to FIFA’s aims. It is estimated that 1 billion people will be reached by a range of innovative legacy programmes inspired by a FIFA World Cup™ in England.

FA President, HRH Prince William, who has endorsed the bid, said: “As President of the Football Association I pledge that, should we be chosen for this great honour, we will provide a lasting legacy for the global game.

“As a life-long football fan and lover of the game, for me the FIFA World Cup™ has always been the high point of the sporting calendar as it is for billions around the world.

“The diversity of England’s communities will mean that each of the 31 visiting teams will find, in addition to their own travelling fans, a tumultuous reception from those of their countrymen who have settled here. For that is the power of football; bringing people together regardless of race or creed, uniting them in their love for the sport and the drama and excitement of the greatest tournament on earth.”

Underpinning the legacy proposals is England’s platform of passion, accessibility, competition-readiness, minimal infrastructure risk and major events experience which provides the ideal platform to produce the most commercially successful FIFA World Cup™ to-date.

The claim is based on the maturity of England’s football market and its track record as the leading football sponsorship, broadcast, ticketing and hospitality market in the world. These factors will enable FIFA to maximise its own media and sponsorship revenues enabling them to re-invest in the development of the global game.

England 2018’s revenue projections estimate a proposed minimum ticket revenue of £602 million (US$897 million) and an in-stadium hospitality profit of £268 million (US$400 million).

Bid Chief Executive, Andy Anson, said: “In such uncertain economic times England’s attributes means our bid minimises risk but maximises certainty.

“Passion is one of the foundation stones of our bid. Football is embedded in our national DNA which is why the English football family, business, the main political parties and the public are united behind our bid.

“It means we can guarantee sold-out stadiums and packed FIFA Fan Fests fused with the vibrancy and colour of one of the most diverse, multi-cultural and welcoming populations. “All visitors and teams will find England easy to get to, easy to get around and easy to find somewhere to stay. Our infrastructure of cities, stadiums, training facilities, transport and accommodation is amongst the most sophisticated, developed and secure in the world, backed by the trusted experience of hosting global events.

“We have deliberately exceeded FIFA’s requirements as we believe we offer the best option for players, teams, fans, FIFA and its partners. For those who cannot make it to England our vision to harness the latest integrated digital technologies will mean fans around the world will be able to share the experience no matter where they are.”

Former England captain and England 2018 Vice-President Beckham, who presented the bid to the FIFA President, added: “Handing over our bid today was an amazing honour for me. As a player nothing could possibly beat playing in front of your own fans in your own country at the World Cup and I hope our players of the future will be fortunate enough to experience this.

“A World Cup in England is not just about what it can do for our country but what it can also do for the rest of the world. Nothemba was here with me today not only because England supports the World Cup in South Africa, which will be a fantastic occasion, but also because a successful England World Cup bid will help change the lives of countless more like Nothemba.”

England’s Bid Book sets out a number of other football and social development goals in England and abroad. These include plans by the 12 Candidate Host Cities to inspire a new generation of home grown talent by creating 4.5 million more young players, 20,000 more referees, 100,000 more coaches and 11,500 young football leaders.

Many areas of grassroots football are targeted including pledges of widening access to football for every girl in England and creating an international centre for disability football. Beckham has also committed to playing a role in the legacy plans through his David Beckham Academy which will deliver bespoke football and life skills courses in each FIFA Confederation until 2017.

England’s bid has exceeded FIFA’s requirements in many respects. Each city will have 2 FIFA Fan Fests, many with unique themes such as in Liverpool where one is based around the city’s Beatles Magical Mystery Tour attraction. There is a 100% public transport solution for each match while ticketed spectators will be able to travel on local transport for free on match day in every city.

More details of England’s bid can be found on www.england2018bid.com where there is a highlights summary of the Bid Book.