Hosting World Cup football could bring £90m into Leicester
Staging World Cup football in Leicester would result in a £90m windfall for the city's economy, it has been estimated.
However, first city councillors must next week agree in principle to pledge £15.3m of taxpayers' money should Leicester be part of a successful England bid to host the planet's biggest sporting event.
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Gary Lineker backs the bid
That is the amount that would have to be spent on marketing and improving the city, for example upgrading public transport, so it meets FIFA's standards to be a host.
Leicester's bid, which has been backed by the likes of Gary Lineker, rock band Kasabian and the Leicester City squad, will be formally submitted to the FA in London next Thursday, as long as city councillors give it the official go-ahead at a full meeting on Wednesday.
Organisers of the England bid have told candidate host cities they can expect a return of £90m based on figures from the German World Cup in 2006, which attracted more than 33.6 million people to stadiums and 18 million to fan parks.
Leicester is bidding to host up to four games at an expanded Walkers Stadium and would expect to attract at least 200,000 fans from across the world who would gather at huge festivals in Victoria Park and Abbey Park. Leicester City would pay for the stadium expansion.
James Conaghan, manager of the Ramada Jarvis hotel, in Granby Street, said the World Cup "could only benefit Leicester".
He said: "It's the biggest tournament in the world and will bring thousands of people to the city."
Those behind the campaign believe it would have a massive knock-on effect, creating jobs and boosting business for hotels and leisure industries, as well as raising the city's international profile.
City fan Matt Hunt, 24, of Leicester's West End, said: "The number of people coming from all over the world would be massive and it would bring it would really put the city on the map. I don't think you can put a price on that."
Leicester's Back the Bid campaign, supported by councillors, business leaders, football fans and the Leicester Mercury, has cost £100,000 since it was launched in May.
The FA will decide next month which 12 cities will host matches, should England be picked by FIFA in December 2010.
If Leicester is successful, the council will be asked by the FA for £350,000 towards the marketing budget for England's efforts to secure international support.
If England then landed the 2018 World Cup, Leicester would have to spend another £250,000 between 2011 and 2013 to pay for FIFA inspections and project management costs.
The staging of the event would have cost taxpayers an estimated £15.3m by the time of the first match.
City council leader Councillor Ross Willmott said: "Leicester's selection as a host city would bring enormous benefits to the city's economy, a major boost to hotels and the tourism and leisure industries, and the creation of new jobs."
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by Geoff, Leicester City
Friday, November 20 2009, 10:56AM
“Don't build your hopes up too much. I heard the DMU needs yet more accomadation and plan to knock The Walkers down - sod the heritage and local opinion and the potential for the city - 'One Leicester' 'Thank God'.”
by Martin, Wigston
Thursday, November 19 2009, 3:20PM
“Seem to recall people saying that build a 32000 seater stadium was backward and we should have built a 40000 seater. Seems your damned if you do and your damned if you dont. Cant believe we are talking about litter bins. We are talking hard core investment bring jobs and wealth to the city. I used to speak to people in Cologne before and during the World Cup with work. They had a real pride that the World Cup was in there City and were benefitting from the inject of new business. But we are talking about rubbish bins not been emptied! Does anyone not have any pride in there city. Lived here all my life and yeah if has its faults but how amazing would it be for an event of this scale to held here!
Or am I the only one with any pride in my home town!”
by Carl, Leicester
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:58PM
“I can't see how for the life of me how Leicester will be chosen when there a clearly better cities better placed to hold this tournament. As for a legacy i agree with Dicko we won't fill the stadium unless ticket prices are reasonable and i can't really see that happening. Also considering the amount of moaning people do on this site i'm not really sure we are really worthy of the honour of holding such an event.”
by Albert Berer, St Peters Leicester...
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:43PM
“Perhaps LCC will do something about the overflowing litter bins in the city centre and the litter for the visitors to as clearly they are incapable or unwilling to do so for the people who pay rates here and live and work here.
I agree and applaud Kulgan's point. He is spot on yet again in hitting the salient point on its head.”
by MArtin, Wigston
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:39PM
“OMG I can not believe the negativity of the post here today. Not sure how anyone with any pride in the is great city can not want an injection of income and upgrading of infastructure which is so lacking. The legacy will be there for years after!
Go for it I say.
And all you football hating poster see the bigger picture.”
by David, Hinckley
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:55PM
“Is this the same club which took nearly 9 months to fix a broken scoreboard within the ground? Hardly a good advertisement!!
Also have you the state of the advertising holdings on the outside of the Family stand?
It looks tired ,dirty and un-cared for!!
Have no objections in putting in for the bid but seriously all that time to fix a scoreboard???”
by Simon Ward, Reporter, Leicester Mercury
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:51PM
“In response to the comment from David, Wigston: The article states that there is an estimate that World Cup football would bring £90m to the city's economy - not that this is a definite. The meaning is therefore the same as that of the headline.
The figure has been given to the city council by the FA which has based it on the boost to the economy experienced by host cities of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.”
by Jim, The Ston
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:36PM
“Dicko,
We'll we European champions by then & easily sell 40,000 tickets each game!!! Sorry.
But no seriously this is a great idea & will definetly put us on the map. It will help with our transport problems & hopefully by then we'll be out of the recession so we'll be able to have a proper party atmosphere. This would be a very special occasion all around the city & a once in a lifetime event.
So you moaners your not realists so shut up & think of the big picture!!!”
by A, Leicester
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:26PM
“I think it would be great for the city, in particular local businesses which need a boost. Plus it would encourage tourism and others to invest in the city.”
by Paul, Oadby
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:03PM
“What is it about football and money. Football is awash with money so why should the local taxpayer have to cover these costs if England wants the world cup. Forgive me if i'm wrong but it looks pretty certain that world cup rugby is coing to Leicester and the only money being spent here is by the Tigers Club and their sponsors on increasing the capacity of the ground. I have not read anything to suggest the council are paying for anything to do with attracting that competition.”