Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[wave46]

Originally Posted by elly63

I really don't know why not. The USA and England both had the best bids for the WC and they lost to Qatar and Russia. With the corrupt FIFA riding roughshod over the CSA who knows what criteria is in their selection process. Could be merit, could be bribery, could be political correctness, who knows what it will be this time.

I imagine FIFA would not avail themselves to bribes, given the scrutiny that they have faced recently. Nor would the North American associations willingly pay FIFA any bribe money - they have way more to lose than to gain from a scandal.

The United States will host the final, no doubt about it. A cleanly-held event in one of the biggest upcoming markets will do more to restoring the image of FIFA than all the PR spin in the world.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Not sure we're talking about the same thing.

My two scenarios

1- USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup - no final in Edmonton or in any Canadian city
2 - Canada only World Cup - the final wouldn't be in Edmonton

Agree with scenario 1, disagree with 2. As for two, any of the four main Canadian cities could host a final. If I had to pick though, I`d want Vancouver. They were brilliant in 2010 and whom I`d want to show off our country, again. My second choice would be the worldly cool of Montreal.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

I imagine FIFA would not avail themselves to bribes, given the scrutiny that they have faced recently. Nor would the North American associations willingly pay FIFA any bribe money - they have way more to lose than to gain from a scandal.

The United States will host the final, no doubt about it. A cleanly-held event in one of the biggest upcoming markets will do more to restoring the image of FIFA than all the PR spin in the world.

You are right, they will try to clean up the act for a while but that doesn`t mean they won`t get up to any other shenanigans. They always do.

[JHikka]

No Canadian cities are hosting the final. Period. It's being held in the US. Canada will receive group stage matches and MAYBE some knockout and QF matches but that's about it. This is very clearly a US & Friends bid and nothing more.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by elly63

Slightly off topic but is it true Winnipeg is taking out seats to create more patio party space which is all the rage in stadiums right now. Surprised Winnipeg isn't on that list.

They did take out some seats in the end zone to widen the concourse and create a larger patio area. It's not easy to notice but if you look carefully you can see it. They also took out some regular seats at the top of the lower level to create small premium seating sections.

I'm not sure what IGF's current official capacity is these days, but I'm sure it must be at least 1,000 down from the original announced capacity of 33,500 (which struck me as oddly rounded for a building with as many quirks as IGF).

Not sure why Winnipeg is not on the WC list... possibly a lack of local soccer leadership to make the case for us? The CSA arguably needed Winnipeg for the WWC, but we're obviously not exactly integral to a MWC bid.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by esquire

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton would make perfect sense, but I'd be surprised if Canada ended up with 4 sites.

Agreed. If Mexico is only submitting three it seems likely Canada gets no more than that as well. Canada should for sure get two hosts with potentially a third. At this stage I would imagine Commonwealth > Olympic for third spot.

[elly63]

I would say that this will likely finally be the excuse to do something big to the Big O.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by esquire

Not sure why Winnipeg is not on the WC list... possibly a lack of local soccer leadership to make the case for us? The CSA arguably needed Winnipeg for the WWC, but we're obviously not exactly integral to a MWC bid.

Funny, because I can remember a time when the Winnipeg Soccer Complex was an important player in the NT scheme of things.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by elly63

Funny, because I can remember a time when the Winnipeg Soccer Complex was an important player in the NT scheme of things.

Despite the somewhat important sounding name, the WSC (now the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex) is not all that much more than a community-level facility. Imagine a community centre with a better than average set of soccer fields... that's the WSC. It hosts the significant amateur events by default (1999 Pan Am Games, 2017 Canada Games) but I wouldn't rank it as an especially impressive venue.

Here's the main field:

[thurmas]

That is quite the luxury box we have at the WSC though.

[blueandgoldguy]

Boy if I was Mexico I would be po'ed that my country would only receive a measly 10 matches and nothing past the first elimination round of the 2026 World Cup. They have a rich history of soccer, have many stadiums capable of handling World Cup matches (including some newer builds and one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world, Stadium Azteca) and have proven to be a strong host in the past.

In the proposal to FIFA, they should have received around 20 matches with at least 1 quarterfinal and maybe even one semi-final match. What an insult!

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by elly63

I would say that this will likely finally be the excuse to do something big to the Big O.

It's already planned.

Maybe it's just me but I can't see Canada being part of a FIFA MWC and not having at least some games in Montréal.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's already planned.

Maybe it's just me but I can't see Canada being part of a FIFA MWC and not having at least some games in Montréal.

I don`t think I`ve seen anything specific yet, they`ve been giving vague commentaries about refurbing the Big O and the roof for years. The last I heard was money for the tower but you can`t play soccer in the tower.

Glass panels will give Olympic Stadium tower a new look
Andy Riga, Montreal Gazette July 10, 2017

``As for the Big O’s 23,000-square-metre roof, the Quebec government has said it will announce its decision on whether to replace it in the fall. The new roof being considered would reportedly cost between $200 million and $300 million.``

Correct me if I`m wrong but I don`t think there has been a specific announcement on a large scale refurb like BC Place yet to the stadium itself. I think they might have earmarked some money to keep it standing but I`m talking about things like seat replacement and restructuring within the stadium itself.

Montreal's Olympic Stadium needs $220M facelift, government report says
Olympic park president says money would go to buildings, surrounding parking areas and public spaces
CBC News Mar 31, 2015

[wave46]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Boy if I was Mexico I would be po'ed that my country would only receive a measly 10 matches and nothing past the first elimination round of the 2026 World Cup. They have a rich history of soccer, have many stadiums capable of handling World Cup matches (including some newer builds and one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world, Stadium Azteca) and have proven to be a strong host in the past.

In the proposal to FIFA, they should have received around 20 matches with at least 1 quarterfinal and maybe even one semi-final match. What an insult!

As mentioned above, it is the 'US and friends' World Cup.

FIFA needs a boost where it has the most potential for growth and conditions seem relatively prime for it - the United States. If FIFA runs a smooth, scandal-free operation on a relatively small budget - unlike the past few World Cups - it helps erase the stain of corruption and the make it look like the sport of the people again, as opposed to a group of elites making expensive demands on a host country.

FIFA already has the Mexican market hooked - that is something akin to hockey here in Canada. There's not going to be much more growth in that country. Or even if there is, FIFA knows Mexico will jump at the chance to host again. Continuing the hockey analogy, it is like the NHL's continued interest in markets like Arizona or Las Vegas - they have the most potential growth should the population take to it, despite much better undertapped markets in Canada.

I'd imagine after that, FIFA may look to somewhere like China.

[wave46]

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's already planned.

Maybe it's just me but I can't see Canada being part of a FIFA MWC and not having at least some games in Montréal.

Oh, it'll be the big 3 - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. I can't see anywhere else even rating in consideration.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

Oh, it'll be the big 3 - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. I can't see anywhere else even rating in consideration.

Why not Edmonton, firstly they have likely the easiest stadium to convert, do people here think foreigners really give a rat`s ass where in Canada it will be. They could put a game in Iqaluit and it will still sell out

[GreaterMontréal]

how many games in each cities ?

[wave46]

Originally Posted by elly63

Why not Edmonton, firstly they have likely the easiest stadium to convert, do people here think foreigners really give a rat`s ass where in Canada it will be. They could put a game in Iqaluit and it will still sell out

For the same reasons pretty much everything else that comes to Canada tends to choose those cities, aside from the '88 Winter Olympics.

[waterloowarrior]

the article for reference (full list is in the article)
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/08/...ences-outreach-for-potential-host-cities
UNITED BID COMMITTEE COMMENCES OUTREACH FOR POTENTIAL HOST CITIES IN BID FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

44 CITIES AND 49 STADIUMS ACROSS THE USA, MEXICO AND CANADA APPROACHED TO BECOME OFFICIAL HOST CITIES

MNT Aug 15, 2017
CHICAGO (August 15, 2017) – The United Bid Committee of the United States, Mexico and Canada officially started its outreach for cities to declare their interest to serve as Official Host Cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ by sending Requests for Information (RFIs) to 44 cities across the three nations. The RFI asks each city to declare its interest to take part in the bid process by September 5, 2017.

A total of 49 stadiums located in or around those 44 candidate cities will be considered for inclusion in the official bid that will be sent to FIFA by March 16, 2018.

After cities declare their interest, the United Bid Committee will review the submissions and intends to issue a shortlist of cities by late September. The Bid Committee will then provide more detailed bid documentation to the cities and conduct meetings to discuss any questions as candidate cities prepare their final bid, due early January 2018.

The Bid Committee plans to include 20-25 venues in its final bid to FIFA. If selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, subject to FIFA’s determination, it is anticipated that at least 12 locations could ultimately serve as Official Host Cities. If a city is not selected to host matches, there may be other opportunities to be involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Those cities, as well as other cities not on the initial list, could be selected as the location for the International Broadcast Center, host Team Base Camps or host major events such as the Preliminary or Final Draw.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will be the first tournament with the expanded 48-team format and will require world-class facilities and infrastructure. The United States, Mexico and Canada are uniquely suited to accommodate FIFA’s high-level standards for hosting a FIFA World Cup™.

“The Host Cities included in our bid will be critical to its success — not only because of their facilities and ability to stage major events, but because they are committed to further developing the sport of soccer by harnessing the impact of hosting a FIFA World Cup — and looking beyond the game itself to make a positive contribution to our communities and the world,” said United Bid Committee Executive Director John Kristick. “We have had a great response so far and we’re looking forward to working closely with each city and determining the best venues for our official bid that we’ll submit next year.”

The 49 stadiums represent a wide spectrum of facilities, including stadiums for soccer and football as well as domed and retractable roof stadiums. All stadiums are required to have at least 40,000 seats for group stage matches, and a capacity of at least 80,000 to be considered for the Opening Match and the Final.

A list of the candidate cities and venues can be found at the end of this release.

Municipal leaders in each city have been asked to provide information about each city’s transportation infrastructure, past experience hosting major sporting and cultural events, available accommodations, environmental protection initiatives, potential venues and more.

In addition to a stadium capable of hosting international soccer, each city has to propose top international-level training sites and locations for team base camps, and hotels for teams, staff and VIP’s. The Bid Committee will also evaluate cities on their commitment to sustainable event management, aspirations to develop soccer, and the positive social impact they anticipate in the local community and beyond stemming from the event.

FIFA established a deadline of August 11 for Member Associations to express their interest to bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Morocco declared its intention to bid on this date. Both bidders must now submit their proposals for consideration by FIFA, with a decision to be taken at the FIFA Congress next June.

The United Bid Committee kicked off its efforts earlier this month by announcing the Board of Directors and the executive leadership team that includes Executive Director John Kristick, Managing Director of Technical Operations Jim Brown, Canada Bid Director Peter Montopoli, who is Canada Soccer General Secretary, and Mexico Bid Director Yon De Luisa, who is a Televisa Vice President.

The United Bid Committee’s Board of Directors includes Sunil Gulati (Chairman), Steven Reed (Canada), Peter Montopoli (Canada), Decio De Maria (Mexico), Guillermo Cantu (Mexico), Carlos Cordeiro (USA), Donna Shalala (USA), Dan Flynn (USA), Don Garber (USA), Carlos Bocanegra (USA), Julie Foudy (USA), Ed Foster-Simeon (USA) and Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF). Legendary sports executive Robert Kraft has been appointed as Honorary Chairman of the Board.

The three nations have hosted a combined 13 FIFA World Cups (men’s, women and youth), more than any other trio of geographically-connected nations, and set attendance records for five of those events.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

The United Bid Committee of the United States, Mexico and Canada officially started its outreach for cities to declare their interest to serve as Official Host Cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ by sending Requests for Information (RFIs) to 44 cities across the three nations. The RFI asks each city to declare its interest to take part in the bid process by September 5, 2017.

This is all it is, no more no less.