England is currently bidding to host the 2018 Football World Cup Finals. With Europe thought to be favoured for the 2018 World Cup, David Beckham has recently handed over England's 2018 bid book to FIFA President Sepp Blatter at a conference in Zurich.One of the most important factors in the World Cup bid is the selection of the Stadiums where the World Cup games are to be played.
FIFA have very strict rules and regulations for the stadiums selected in World Cup bids. There need to be at least ten stadiums all with a crowd capacity of 40,000 or above, two Stadiums must have a capacity of at least 60,000, and these would be used for the opening match, the semi-finals and the final of the World Cup. Another regulation is that only two of the stadiums can be in the same city.
As well as the stadiums, the host cities must also demonstrate that they can provide excellent training facilities, team base camps, facilities for the many fans and media, accommodation and transport services, and also have robust plans for safety, security and sustainability.
Here is a short review of the Stadiums being considered for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
Birmingham - Villa Park, Home stadium for Aston Villa Football Club, the all seated stadium has a capacity of 42,788. It is a UEFA Elite Stadium and has previously hosted 16 England international matches, it is the most used English stadium for FA Cup semi-finals, having hosted 55 semi-finals. Plans are in place to re-develop the North Stand, increasing the capacity of Villa Park to approximately 50,000. Villa Park is within a short distance of two mainline railway stations.
Bristol - New Ashton Gate, Home stadium for Bristol City, which currently has an all seated capacity of 21,497, plans are in place for major re-development which would increase the capacity to 42,000 should England be successful In their bid for the 2018 World Cup. The stadium has previously hosted matches in the Rugby World Cup and several large music concerts.
Leeds - Elland Road, Home of Leeds United, Elland Road is a 5 star rated UEFA Stadium and is the 12th largest stadium in England, and the largest ground outside the Premier League. The ground has hosted many FA Cup Semi-Final matches, as well as a number of England international fixtures, it was also used as one of the eight stadiums when England hosted Euro 96. The redevelopment of the East Stand for which Leeds already have planning permission will play a major part in providing the facilities required by FIFA to stage matches in the World Cup
Liverpool - Anfield, The famous home of Liverpool FC Anfield has a total capacity of 45,276, Anfield is a UEFA elite Stadium and has hosted many international matches, including England matches. The ground was also used as a venue during Euro 96, and is due to host matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
There are plans to replace the existing Anfield with a new 60,000 capacity stadium, which would host the matches if the Stadium was to be completed in time for the World Cup.
London - There are three nominated stadiums from London, they include Wembley Stadium which opened in 2007 at a cost of £798 million, it is built on the site of the previous Wembley stadium. The new Wembley has a 90,000 capacity which makes it the second largest stadium in Europe and it is also home to England's national team.
Arsenal's Emirates Stadium This stadium opened in July 2006 and has an all seated capacity of 60,355 which is the second largest club stadium in England, after Old Trafford
The third nomination will be either the Olympic Stadium which is being built for the 2012 London Olympics which could be adapted to accommodate around 60,000 fans or Tottenham's yet-to-be-built new ground which will have a capacity of 55-60,000 seats
Milton Keynes - Stadium:mk is home to Milton Keynes Dons Football Club,
The initial configuration of the stadium uses only the lower tier which can accommodate 22,000 fans, but by using the upper tier there is provision to increase the capacity to 32,000. Should England be successful in their World Cup bid there is also an option to increase the maximum capacity to 45,000 with the introduction of a new tier and when the stadium is complete it will comply with UEFA's Elite Stadium specifications.
Nottingham - New Forest Stadium is a proposed football stadium which would be built in Nottingham to replace the City Ground of Nottingham Forest Football Club. The stadium is intended to have a capacity of between 45,000 and 50,000 spectators. A popular choice amongst Nottingham Forest fans would be to call the ground the 'Brian Clough Arena' in honour of the club's legendary manager. It is likely that the new stadium will only be built if England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful.
Manchester - Old Trafford, home stadium for Manchester United Football Club, the capacity is 75,957. Old Trafford has the second-largest capacity of any English football stadium after Wembley, and with Wembley, it is one of two Stadiums in the country to have been given a UEFA five star rating. The ground has hosted several FA Cup semi-final matches, and several England international fixtures while the new Wembley Stadium was under construction. Old Trafford has also hosted matches at the at the 1966 World Cup Finals and Euro 96, as well as the Champions League Final in 2003.
Manchester - The City of Manchester Stadium also known 'Eastlands' is home to Manchester City Football Club, was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth games at a cost of £110 million, with a seating capacity of 47,726. An agreement is in place to allow re-development of the stadium to possible 60,000 capacity. The stadium hosted the UEFA Cup Final in 2008.
Newcastle - St James' Park, home stadium of Newcastle United Football Club, with a capacity of 52,387, It is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom, the stadium has been the home ground of Newcastle since 1892 and has recently been at the centre of a re-naming controversy.
Plymouth - Home Park home ground for Plymouth Argyle Football Club, since 1901, substantial re-development work has taken place over the last few years, and after further work the stadium became all-seated in the summer of 2007, further plans are in place to develop the stadium into a 46,000 capacity stadium, with a 5,000-seat indoor arena and a hotel, as the club aims to transform the stadium into a major sport and entertainment venue
Sheffield - Hillsborough, home of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club since 1899, the stadium has a 39,812 capacity and plans by the club for a £22 million renovation of the stadium have been approved, this would increase the capacity to 44,825. The stadium has been used for matches at the 1966 World Cup and Euro '96
Sunderland - Stadium of Light, home stadium for Sunderland, has a capacity of 49,000 the stadium was as designed for expansion by the possible addition of an upper tier, which would take the stadium up to a maximum capacity of 64,000, which would only be bettered by Old Trafford as a club ground.
Being a World Cup venue will generate pride, prestige and excitement. Each city will experience inward investment, and upgrading football stadiums would and create new jobs, football facilities will be improved, and this will be inspire the younger generation to play the sport.
There would be a huge income from thousands of fans and visitors, purchasing World Cup souvenirs and football gifts visiting local attractions, restaurants and bars.
The country's tourist industry would benefit from a huge uplift, and hundreds of businesses would benefit from the thousands of international visitors, many jobs would also created by the tournament.
