KANSAS CITY, MO (December 1, 2009) - The Kansas City / USA Host City Bid Committee announced Tuesday that Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser signed the Host City Agreement in an effort to bring the FIFA World Cup(tm) to Kansas City. Kansas City is one of 27 cities still in the running to be part of the United States' bid to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to host either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup(tm). The USA Bid Committee is expected to choose 18 cities in December of 2009 to submit in the USA bid to FIFA. Matches in Kansas City would be played at Arrowhead Stadium. To support the effort, Kansas Citians are asked to sign the petition at www.goUSAbid.com/kc and pass the petition along to their friends and family."It is my pleasure to sign the Host City Agreement to help bring the FIFA World Cup(tm) to Kansas City," Mayor Funkhouser said. "The benefits of hosting this world-class sporting event are unmatched. I fully support the effort to bring the FIFA World Cup(tm) to the United States and to Kansas City. I have also registered my support at www.goUSAbid.com/kc, and I encourage all Kansas Citians to do the same."
A study released previously by the USA Bid Committee indicates that the total economic impact projected for any one host city ranges from approximately $400 million to $600 million at today's dollar value. That figure is based on 12 host cities staging five to six matches, along with ancillary venues such as the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in one city and FIFA Fan Fest(tm) in each city. The study also estimates 5,000 to 8,000 jobs would be created in each host city during the event's operation.
"We on the Kansas City Bid Committee are excited to be joined by Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser in support of the effort to bring the FIFA World Cup(tm) to our great community," Neal Patterson, Co-Chairman of the Kansas City Bid Committee, said. "Bringing the world's greatest sporting event to our city will benefit Kansas Citians of all walks of life and forever enhance Kansas City's reputation throughout the world."
"This would mean jobs, revenue, and international recognition for Kansas City," said Mayor Funkhouser. "I am committed to ensuring Kansas City is hosting FIFA World Cup(tm) soccer in 2018 or 2022."
The Kansas City / USA Host City Bid Committee features members and expertise from a wide range of Kansas City metropolitan area public and private entities from both sides of the state line, including: The Kansas City Chiefs; Kansas City Wizards' ownership group OnGoal, LLC; the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation; the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association; the City of Kansas City, Missouri; the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas; the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA); and POPULOUS, formerly HOK Sport Venue Event.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the Kansas City region to the citizens of the world," KCCVA President & CEO Rick Hughes said. "The impact it would have on our local economy is unprecedented, to the tune of $400-600 million. That's comparable to hosting a year's worth of citywide conventions in just one month."
"I cannot think of another event with more significance than soccer's FIFA World Cup(tm)," Kevin M. Gray, president of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, said. "We have been fortunate to host a variety of major events, but this is a world-class opportunity for our city, and our organization is committed to making this dream a reality. We made an aggressive pitch for this event back in the early 90's and now our city, facilities and bid team are that much stronger. We still have the Hunt Family in a prominent role, but we also have a Major League Soccer club led by OnGoal, an incredibly strong ownership group, and New Arrowhead Stadium that will be second to none."
The full list of cities still in the running includes: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Oakland, Orlando, Philadelphia, Glendale-Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.
TIMETABLE AND PLANNING FOR HOST CITY CANDIDATES
December 2009 Determination of final 18 U.S. cities for bid submission
May 14, 2010 USA Bid submission to FIFA
August-September 2010 FIFA Venue Inspection Tour
December 2010 Final decision by FIFA for Host of 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups(tm)
At a later stage, which is expected to be five years prior to the applicable FIFA World CupTM at the earliest, FIFA and the Local Organizing Committee ("LOC") will appoint the final host cities for the competition.
ABOUT THE FIFA WORLD CUPTM
- The world's premier sports event, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's governing body (www.fifa.com ).
- A global cumulative television audience of over 26 billion for the event.
- 64 Matches, with 32 National teams. Normally played in 10-14 venues.
- Normally staged in June/July over 31 days.
- Most venues will be utilized for a 2-3 week period.
- Each venue normally hosts 4-6 matches
- The event is staged every four years.
- World Cup USA 94 holds the live attendance record of nearly 3.6 million spectators.
- Minimum stadium capacity: Group games: 40,000 / Opening & Final: 80,000
- Sellout crowds are expected for all matches (World Cup USA 1994 had a 96% sellout)
- 90,000+ people involved in the event organization; 20,000 accredited media.
FIFA WORLD CUPTM HISTORY
Year Host Country Winner
1930 Uruguay Uruguay
1934 Italy Italy
1938 France Italy
1950 Brazil Uruguay
1954 Switzerland West Germany
1958 Sweden Brazil
1962 Chile Brazil
1966 England England
1970 Mexico Brazil
1974 West Germany West Germany
1978 Argentina Argentina
1982 Spain Italy
1986 Mexico Argentina
1990 Italy West Germany
1994 USA Brazil
1998 France France
2002 South Korea/Japan Brazil
2006 Germany Italy
2010 South Africa -
2014 Brazil -
USA IN THE FIFA WORLD CUPTM
Year Finish Teams
1930 3 13
1934 16 16
1950 10 13
1990 23 24
1994 14 24
1998 32 32
2002 8 32
2006 25 32
2010 ?? 32
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