Rufus helps with Sunderland 2018 World Cup host city bid
You may have noticed recently a big push for Sunderland to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup with Sunderland Football Club chairman Niall Quinn and Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Paul Watson urging the North East to get behind Sunderland’s bid.
We were asked by Sunderland AFC and Sunderland City Council to produce a brand for the campaign, ranging from the logo design, website design, pop up stands, pull up displays, stationery, t-shirts, flags, banners and other materials, in order for Sunderland to have a solid base for the bid to be launched.
A successful bid would mean qualifying matches during the World Cup finals would be played at the Stadium of Light. However, Sunderland is keen to embrace the whole of North East England in its proposal, ensuring that as many places and people as possible across the region benefit from playing a part in the biggest sporting event in the world.
By logging on to www.sunderland2018bid.com and selecting ‘Sunderland’ as preferred host city, members of the public can show The FA that they want Sunderland to host matches in the World Cup in 2018. A ‘Back the Bid’ book will also be available to be signed in key locations around Sunderland, including the City Library, Civic Centre and the Stadium of Light.
Promotional activities will be taking place across the city in the coming months to support the bid, kicking off with school pupils in Sunderland submitting letters and pictures to show The FA what hosting World Cup matches would mean to them.
While strong public support alone won’t secure Sunderland’s host city status, it will be taken into consideration by The FA. In addition, successful host cities need to be able to satisfy an extensive range of requirements set by FIFA and the FA, including:
- A stadium which can hold a minimum of 40,000 people
- Hotel accommodation for teams, officials and fans in the region
- Fan parks for supporters
- Good travel links with the rest of the country
- Training facilities and potential base camps for national teams
An outline bid for Host City status must be submitted by July 8 and FA officials will visit the city on July 14. The final bid must be submitted to The FA by November 6, 2009. In total fifteen cities are competing to be host cities for England’s World Cup 2018 bid.
So come on, let’s show the country how proud we are of our city and log your votes at www.sunderland2018bid.com.
Ha ‘way the Lads!
