Premier League backs the Bid

The Premier League and its clubs will stage a league-wide, final showing of support at every Barclays Premier League match this weekend as the England 2018 campaign reaches its climax. Matches across the country will showcase bid messages which will be seen in more than 500 million homes across the world. 

Each of the ten games, broadcast in more than 200 countries, will feature bid branding across grounds while mascots will be wearing ‘England 2018’ caps. This is the fourth ‘Back the Bid’ weekend the Premier League has staged and advertising, hospitality and other commercial inventory has been donated at Premier League games throughout 2010. 

The Premier League has also contributed significantly to the final presentation films which will feature a number of its clubs and players.  In addition, Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore will be part of the England 2018 delegation: meeting with members of FIFA next week ahead of the final presentation and decision on Thursday 2 December. 

Throughout the campaign, the Premier League has contributed significantly to the England 2018 Bid. Every club is involved with the bid’s technical proposal in some capacity and eight Premier League stadiums have been put forward to stage 2018 FIFA World Cup™ matches.

Players and club officials have also attended bid meetings and events; filmed messages for video presentations to FIFA members; and hosted the FIFA Inspection team during their visit in August 2010.  

The Barclays Premier League is the world's biggest continuous annual global sporting event. Across nine months of the year, 380 matches are beamed out to over 500 million homes in 211 territories. Last season, an estimated cumulative global audience 2.65 billion watched the 100,000 hours of coverage that was broadcast, so the impact of the clubs' involvement is potentially enormous.

Football League clubs across the country will also be running ‘Back the Bid activity and Chairman, Greg Clarke, is due to be part of the England 2018 delegation in Zurich next week.

FIFA will make its decision on the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ hosts on 2 December at 3pm.