FIFA Women's World Cup

02 FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 June 6 – July 5 W innipeg is one of six Canadian cities set to host the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 beginning June 6. A total of seven games will be played in the Manitoba capital, bringing thousands of soccer fans from as far away as Nigeria, Australia, Germany and Thailand. While Winnipeg has played host to other major sporting events such as the Pan Am Games and the world junior hockey championships, a local FIFA official says the World Cup is … well, out of this world. "The FIFA Women's World Cup brings together the most elite female athletes in the world and it's truly a world event. It truly reaches all corners of the world unlike a Pan Am Games or a world junior hockey championship where there are just select countries," says Chad Falk, the Winnipeg venues manager for the Women's World Cup Canada 2015. "And there's a passion these countries and their supporters bring for their coun- tries in a World Cup. It's just something I don't think Winnipeg's seen before. I think it's going to be a real eye-opener." What Winnipeggers and their international guests will see is some of the best soc- cer from across the globe. Four of the five top women's teams in the world will take to the pitch at Investors Group Field, which will be simply known as Winnipeg Stadium during the World Cup due to FIFA regulations. No. 1-ranked Germany, the No. 2 U.S., No. 4 Japan and No. 5 Sweden and will be joined by Australia (No. 10), China (No. 12) and Nigeria, the reigning African champions. "We have an extremely competitive pool and group of teams coming here to Win- nipeg," Falk says. "I could not have picked a better one myself. I was sitting at the draw with some of my colleagues in Gatineau (Quebec) back in December and we were definitely excited after every team was allotted to Winnipeg." Ticket sales for the seven Winnipeg World Cup matches have been robust. All of the tickets for the June 8 (Sweden vs. Nigeria and U.S. vs. Australia) and June 12 matches (Australia vs. Nigeria and U.S. vs. Sweden) have already been sold, although a few last-minute seats may become available. Ticket sales south of the border have been particularly strong as fans of Team USA from all 50 states have snapped up tickets. A large number of local ethnic communities have also purchased blocks of tickets to support their favourite teams. "I definitely think ticket sales have been as expected, maybe even a little bit stronger, especially for those first two days," Falk says, adding it's possible Winnipeg will have a complete sellout for all seven matches. "I would love to see that and it would be a great way for Winnipeg to sign off on this event and say we sold out all the matches." There will also be plenty of World Cup excitement outside of Investors Group Field. FIFA will host an official kickoff party on June 6 near the plaza area where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold tailgate celebrations. Canada's opening game versus China will be broadcast live from Edmonton on a giant screen and a host of activities will be available for fans of all ages. "It should have a great global feel to it and be a good kickoff for the tournament," says Falk, adding the plaza area will also be open to ticket holders two hours prior to all Winnipeg matches and between matches on game days. Getting to and from the games should be relatively easy. FIFA officials recently unveiled a comprehensive transportation plan modelled after the one put in place by the city and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Winnipeg Transit game day routes will be in effect throughout the tournament. There will also be a number of park-and-ride locations, valet bike service at the stadium and a shuttle service for fans staying at select downtown hotels. The final Women's World Cup Canada 2015 match is set for July 5 in Vancouver. Although Winnipeg's portion of the World Cup will wrap up June 16, its impact on the community will be felt for years to come. In conjunction with the tournament, three new artificial turf fields were installed at Shaughnessy Park, Memorial Field and the Winnipeg Soccer Complex that will be available to local teams when the World Cup concludes. "Those will be a huge legacy for the Winnipeg soccer community," Falk says. Soccer fanS will be having a ball in winnipeg for the next 10 dayS. Let the Games BeGin winnipeg welcomeS the Soccer world Seven FIFA Women'S World Cup CAnAdA 2015 mAtCheS WIll be plAyed In WInnIpeg. FAnS got An eArly tASte oF the ACtIon When CAnAdA And the u.S. plAyed An InternAtIonAl FrIendly At InveStorS group FIeld lASt SprIng. photoS by douglAS portz

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