[News] Flames/Stamps New Arena Part Of World Cup Bid in 2026..

[Muta]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I'm actually pretty sure there will be more watching the Brazil world cup than there were watching the Sochi games. Just cause you may not appreciate the sport as others do, it's still far, far bigger than we could ever realistically hope for hockey to become.

Agreed. From what I've gathered over the years, the World Cup is bigger than the Olympics for many, many, many people.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

Maybe a World Cup Bid murdered Tinordi's father. We should be more sensitive.

He's anti-sports facilities being build with taxpayer money. Ironic because he's probably paid less taxes in his life than I have in six months.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He's anti-sports facilities being build with taxpayer money. Ironic because he's probably paid less taxes in his life than I have in six months.

I'm against tax money for pro sports facilities, is that the same? I'm far more accepting of things like Olympics bids. I'm still torn on a McMahon replacement because the University uses it and it might be leveraged into an MLS team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm against tax money for pro sports facilities, is that the same? I'm far more accepting of things like Olympics bids. I'm still torn on a McMahon replacement because the University uses it and it might be leveraged into an MLS team.

I imagine that you are actually a contributing tax payer though so you are entitled to your opinion and so is a teenager but for a person that hasn't contributed he sure posts in certainty. McMahon is a crap stadium and now the Flames own the Stamps the chances are they aren't going to let their CFL franchise wallow in the worst facility in the league long term. The stadium will happen one way or another and the funding will sort itself out. People are free to argue against it but it's not different than the bridge where it's still going to be built and people will move on with their lives.

[Winsor_Pilates]

A World Cup in Canada would be the greatest event of my life, but...

Aside from the stadium discussions, I don't think our national team is good enough for us to get a World Cup.
Getting an automatic entry when you can even compete in Concacaf wouldn't seem right.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

A World Cup in Canada would be the greatest event of my life, but...

Aside from the stadium discussions, I don't think our national team is good enough for us to get a World Cup.
Getting an automatic entry when you can even compete in Concacaf wouldn't seem right.

Well that didn't stop Qatar from buying a World Cup. Our program is pretty low though, way lower than it should be.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

So many silly comments about Soccer being disliked, yet it's the most played sport in Canada.

More than hockey.
More than gridiron.
More than baseball.
More than lacrosse.


I'll prep the structure for rebuttal:
"oh but those aren't real athletes, they're just out for a Sunday stroll"

And the most watched MLS game in Canadian history barely matched the ratings of a routine curling event on Sportsnet.

That doesn't mean the assertion that soccer is disliked isn't ridiculous. But it is not a sport that Candians are typically passionate about.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

A World Cup in Canada would be the greatest event of my life, but...

Aside from the stadium discussions, I don't think our national team is good enough for us to get a World Cup.
Getting an automatic entry when you can even compete in Concacaf wouldn't seem right.

The problem with this logic is that you're assuming Canada won't be getting any better. I would argue that soccer is a fast-rising sport in this country, and only gaining in popularity.

With the establishment of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal in MLS, we are starting to actually take this game seriously. Having professional systems, as well as training academies (Vancouver is getting a nice new one; I know, since I chased that project), is a huge step in the right direction for the development of the game and the development of talent nation-wide. Amateur leagues are now getting rather competitive here. That's a good sign.

Soccer is cheaper than hockey to participate in for kids, it's just as athletic, and the cost of admission to watch professional soccer (where it's available) is a cheaper option than hockey as well.

MLS may not be the soccer-equivalent of the NHL (it's more likely like the ECHL), but it's a step in the right direction. You need to start somewhere. Players like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Jermaine Defoe have decided that the league is worthy enough for them to play in. Getting that star power to promote the game here is huge.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that it isn't a question of 'if' cities like Edmonton and Calgary get MLS... it's a question of when. I would place good money on any new stadium that gets built in Calgary will likely be designed for both CFL and professional league soccer.

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

For adults, the only sport that is played ahead of soccer for both sexes, is golf.

Going to have to say slopitch far outnumbers soccer for co-ed adults and even by their individual genders.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I'd argue that any stadiums built for the World Cup will have to have multiple purposes.

At the minimum the stadiums need to be able to accommodate:

- World Cup
- CFL
- CIS (football, soccer, rugby)
- Trade Shows
- Concerts
- University Exams/Programs

Depending on the city:
- MLS
- NHL (can be designed with outdoor games in mind, heck with a retractable roof imagine having playoff games in these stadiums if the sight line issues can be resolved)


They absolutely should not be built solely for the World Cup, but with other uses in mind.

Private investors should also be sought for funding as well.

I'd be curious to see if with the advancements in stadium technologies if they could design a soccer/football stadium that could convert to baseball and not suck (would be great for Toronto and Montréal).

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And the most watched MLS game in Canadian history barely matched the ratings of a routine curling event on Sportsnet.

That doesn't mean the assertion that soccer is disliked isn't ridiculous. But it is not a sport that Candians are typically passionate about.

And how much was that MLS game marketed to the entire nation the way curling events are?

People will tend to watch whatever the stations hype as the next 'must watch' event.

[Calgary4LIfe]

There has been a few arguments about having the World Cup in Canada to help promote the sport here, which would hopefully give a shot in the arm to Canadian player development.

However, I am sure FIFA would love to grow the sport in Canada and the USA as well. It ranks much lower (though seemingly rising thanks to MLS) in the rankings. I don't think it will ever surpass the major sports here, but there probably is a lot of money for FIFA to be made in North America.

They are by far the world's biggest international league, and the most watched sport globally. North America is probably one of (if not the) richest market, and it is basically untouched by them really. I can see them wanting to grow the game in North America, and I can also see them being a bit hesitant as North America seems disinterested as a whole (though many - including myself - really love the game).

As for having a low-quality program in Canada - I don't think that will bother FIFA much. Korea and Japan weren't that great either, and as Nik above mentioned, Qatar is pretty bad (ranked 101, and Canada is 112 currently). South Africa is 64 currently, but was ranked 83rd right before the World Cup was held there. Where a country ranks seems to have little (if any) relation to them getting awarded as a host.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

And how much was that MLS game marketed to the entire nation the way curling events are?

People will tend to watch whatever the stations hype as the next 'must watch' event.

Not to mention, the Canadian TV audience isn't really the focus. The focus would be, as many have said, growing the game here by hyping up the sport's (possibly world's) highest level competition being played right in our back yard. People from all over the world will watch the World Cup, no matter where it is being played. So why not put it in a country that could use the soccer exposure/hype, but is also a stable nation which already has top notch cities and stadiums and very little social problems?

They would probably only host it in a few cities. I would say Vancouver and Calgary (with a new stadium) would each get a pool and Montreal (possibly renos to The O or Saputo) and Toronto (I'm sure Rogers could be retrofitted to make it work) with the Playoffs being played in one of the two latter cities. The sad part about Canada is that with it being so spread out you couldn't really have teams playing in Calgary one day and then Montreal the next (although NHLers do it all the time), so they would probably want pools all done in the same city with maybe a playoff gamwe in each one (I'd have to get more familiar with the structure of the tournament).

[djsFlames]

It would be awesome to get an MLS team here in town. I would go.

It's also an easy decision for other sports fans here who usually watch/attend hockey games, as it would be in the offseason.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Muta

Personally, I'm of the opinion that it isn't a question of 'if' cities like Edmonton and Calgary get MLS... it's a question of when. I would place good money on any new stadium that gets built in Calgary will likely be designed for both CFL and professional league soccer.

Well the MLS is pretty intent on adding a team in Atlanta.... It's only a matter of time before we get a relocating franchise.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Muta

The problem with this logic is that you're assuming Canada won't be getting any better. I would argue that soccer is a fast-rising sport in this country, and only gaining in popularity.

With the establishment of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal in MLS, we are starting to actually take this game seriously. Having professional systems, as well as training academies (Vancouver is getting a nice new one; I know, since I chased that project), is a huge step in the right direction for the development of the game and the development of talent nation-wide. Amateur leagues are now getting rather competitive here. That's a good sign.

Soccer is cheaper than hockey to participate in for kids, it's just as athletic, and the cost of admission to watch professional soccer (where it's available) is a cheaper option than hockey as well.

MLS may not be the soccer-equivalent of the NHL (it's more likely like the ECHL), but it's a step in the right direction. You need to start somewhere. Players like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Jermaine Defoe have decided that the league is worthy enough for them to play in. Getting that star power to promote the game here is huge.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that it isn't a question of 'if' cities like Edmonton and Calgary get MLS... it's a question of when. I would place good money on any new stadium that gets built in Calgary will likely be designed for both CFL and professional league soccer.

I'm not suggesting "Canada won't get any better" at all; and I'm an MLS season ticket holder myself.
I just think the national squad needs to get there first, and then a World Cup bid would get more consideration.
IMO, 2026 may be a little soon considering how many years in advance the bids are made. I'd be very happy to be wrong though!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And the most watched MLS game in Canadian history barely matched the ratings of a routine curling event on Sportsnet.

That doesn't mean the assertion that soccer is disliked isn't ridiculous. But it is not a sport that Candians are typically passionate about.

MLS isn't even in the top 20 professional soccer leagues in the world. (heck not even top 30 imo)
MLS is great for a live experience, but outside of the localized audience, there hasn't been any grab, because the talent is quite lacking, outside of a few former top level Euro's that are brought over nearing the end of their careers.

A better comparison would be Champions League.
Let's check the TV ratings of the final 4 Champions League's games, to get an idea of what the World Cup ratings are --- especially as TSN is ramping up their soccer coverage more than any other sport right now.
(loss of NHL coverage, and need to diversify)

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

A World Cup in Canada would be the greatest event of my life, but...

Aside from the stadium discussions, I don't think our national team is good enough for us to get a World Cup.

Qatar - 104th
Canada - 111th (as high as in the 40's)

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I'm not suggesting "Canada won't get any better" at all; and I'm an MLS season ticket holder myself.
I just think the national squad needs to get there first, and then a World Cup bid would get more consideration.
IMO, 2026 may be a little soon considering how many years in advance the bids are made. I'd be very happy to be wrong though!

Well, South Africa, as I recall, was ranked below Canada in the international rankings leading up to 2010, so I don't think the quality of the national team matters as much as you think it does.

That said, I want a quality team too... one that could atleast have a chance to pull out a tie with some of the bigger name teams.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Going to have to say slopitch far outnumbers soccer for co-ed adults and even by their individual genders.

It doesn't. I'll dig up the report when I get home from work.

[Roughneck]

I've said it elsewhere, but I feel that if there is going to be this kind of public money discussed for stadiums for the 2026 FIFA World Cup then Canada also needs to go for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Would be the perfect dress rehearsal as the even if the scale isn't quite the same, the logistics are similar in moving people around as well as the timeline and would bring in a lot of people who will need hotel rooms, will go to bars and everything else (whatever they like to say to justify those kinds of $).

Plus Canada is better at rugby than soccer and getting better at rugby faster than soccer and it's just a better sport anyway so there's all that going for it too. I'd also want Calgary's 2026 Winter Olympic bid before this kind of money goes to it as well (so that we can get an even nicer stadium with some ridiculously expensive and lavish publically funded infrastructure projects that go with it. Go big or go home Canada, I want all three!)