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

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

This is my point: Calgary simply cannot host the World Cup, regardless of stadium.

It requires multiple (6, 8, 10, 12, whatever) world class stadiums to put that tournament on. So why is this conversation continuing?

Because Calgary would be one of the several host cities. Not the host of the whole thing.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Because Calgary would be one of the several host cities. Not the host of the whole thing.

Yes, thanks - that makes more sense. However, the argument remains: are there enough world class stadiums for Canada to submit a legitimate bid?

[Dan02]

canada is going to bid for the world cup?? I know they went with some oddball choices in dubai and russia or whatever but Canada?

[Badgers Nose]

... the only way Canada will ever qualify to play in the WC is to host it.

[Resolute 14]

The existence of the Whitecaps, Impact and TSC will generate the grassroots interest.

[theTrumanShow]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The existence of the Whitecaps, Impact and TSC will generate the grassroots interest.

And who knows, if we get a new stadium for the Stamps, perhaps we could even get an MLS team. Having been to an LA and a TFC game, I can tell you the atmosphere destroys the Saddledome (except 2004)..

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by getbak

There will be 12 stadiums used in Brazil this year. The lowest capacity is just over 42,000 and the highest is just under 77,000.

I believe you are right with the total amount of stadiums used in Brazil this year, but this was not the norm. I believe Brazil asked for special permission to host the tournament amongst a greater number of cities within Brazil, and FIFA relented.

I can't see FIFA granting the same permission to Canada - just too much travel involved, and too many time-zones. It could happen this way, but it is doubtful. I could see a Western Canadian bid, or an Eastern Canadian bid - but would be very surprised if Canada would be given permission to host from BC and across into Quebec.

However, they have allowed and accepted bids from joint nations - so maybe I expect them to be more stringent than they really are.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I believe you are right with the total amount of stadiums used in Brazil this year, but this was not the norm. I believe Brazil asked for special permission to host the tournament amongst a greater number of cities within Brazil, and FIFA relented.

I can't see FIFA granting the same permission to Canada - just too much travel involved, and too many time-zones. It could happen this way, but it is doubtful. I could see a Western Canadian bid, or an Eastern Canadian bid - but would be very surprised if Canada would be given permission to host from BC and across into Quebec.

However, they have allowed and accepted bids from joint nations - so maybe I expect them to be more stringent than they really are.

Look at 1994 World Cup, Host cities were Pasadena, California, Detroit, Stanford, East Rutherford NJ, Orlando, Chicago Illinois, Dallas Texas, Boston and Washington DC.

Basically all across the entire USA. Geography isn't a big deal for the World Cup.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Look at 1994 World Cup, Host cities were Pasadena, California, Detroit, Stanford, East Rutherford NJ, Orlando, Chicago Illinois, Dallas Texas, Boston and Washington DC.

Basically all across the entire USA. Geography isn't a big deal for the World Cup.

Totally forgot about that! Thanks!

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Will it really lead to huge interest in soccer? For instance if Canada flames out in 3 games with losses of 3-0, 2-1 and 4-1, is that really gonna grow soccer in Canada? Is the elite athlete who loves hockey or basketball really going to start playing soccer instead? Highly, highly doubtful.

And while people can say it, the truth is most people will be rooting for a country besides Canada. Oh sure they'll wear their red on game days, but once Canada is bounced they'll go back to cheering for their country, likely one much better and more passionate about soccer. Like say Canada plays Italy in Montreal. I can legitimately see 50% support for Italy at that game.

And it helped South Africa big time since they hosted, seeing as they got bounced in the first round of qualifying for 2014. South Africa is a cricket/rugby country, not a soccer one. Qatar is a sharia law country, not a soccer one. Soccer ranks at best 5th in Canada in terms of important. I doubt it has much long term impact.

Despite South Africa sucking at the sport, the nation itself is crazy about it. They had (mostly) a solid infrastructure to host it. The masses of fans in South Africa made it a viable host nation. Check out the crazy Bafana Bafana fans. They're mad for it.

Qatar will be terrible in the tournament (if it's even held there in the end) but they have a solid chunk of their national riches invested in soccer around the globe. Oil sheiks are all crazy about soccer and buy clubs so they can play a real-life version of FIFA Manager mode. The richest ruling class of Qatar have brought (bought) the tournament there at great expense. They're spending 100s of billions to create freakin cities for the tournament. It's insanity. Total vanity project.

I think it would be awesome if Canada hosted the World Cup, and people would be won over pretty fast by the event and atmosphere, I just don't see it happening. There's not enough public demand for it and the richest of the rich in Canada don't strike me as maniac avid soccer fans.

When it comes down to it, even if they got a decent bid together, the golden handshakes in closed back-rooms will mean that it likely gets beaten out by some other backwards country like the UK.

Building a stadium to get an MLS team there though? That's food for thought. I think you could get a decent fan base together. I used to hate the sport too, but have totally fallen for it since I moved over here. It's flawed and corrupt, and it ain't no hockey, but it is fricken beautiful to see it played really well live by the superstars (when they're not writhing around on the grass simulating broken femurs and whatnot.)

[normtwofinger]

I think most people missed the point of the article. Canada is not going to bid for the World Cup.

[Resolute 14]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/03/26...unknown-client

The stadium image floating around was a proposed design for a "western Canadian city" that was exploring the idea of a CFL expansion team. They don't name the city, but it is obviously Saskatoon based on the junior arena/NHL comments.

[Northendzone]

The world cup here in Canada - I would ahve thought this is a story that would be run next week......

[cKy]

The company that designed that building is literally 2 floors down from me. Should I just go ask them wtf is going on? Be like, "hey, i work 2 floors above you, so we are basically family - are you making a new arena for the Flames? k thx bye"

[jonesy]

The people that think putting WC soccer in Canada must also think putting hockey in Phoenix is a good idea.
Guess what? Its a bad idea. The cost cannot be justified with some hadwaving vague 'return' of growing fan interest, and the money loss will be huge.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

A few things need to happen if Canada legitimately wants to host the World Cup.

1. The stadiums shouldn't be built for the World Cup, they should fill the needs of their city (become home to CFL/MLS/CIS teams) with the capability to house major outdoor concerts, and if they have a retractable roof they need to be easily converted for convention floor space. They need to be put in an area of the city that allows for economic spinoff for surrounding businesses (restaurants, pubs, shopping etc). The World Cup facilities should fill all these roles, BUT be built to also accommodate the World Cup. It's the timing that makes them "for the World Cup" not the event itself.

2. An travel infrastructure plan needs to be in place. This can be done through Air Canada or WestJet or both for easy access between cities. Via rail should also have a plan for easy transport between cities. Extra attention paid to the schedule to make travel for foreigners easier as well.

Travel also needs to have an easy plan for non-city residents to get to hotels, stadiums, airports, etc. This is a great opportunity to upgrade our transportation systems between cities and within each city.

3. Focus on minor soccer programs needs to be in the forefront. While a poster above cites Pheonix not adding more interest in hockey, since the southern expansion of the 90s wow has hockey grown in the US.

If we focus on soccer programs across the country, include as many kids as possible, and with an added focus from TSN, SportsNet, CBC etc soccer will grow. Let's not forget that there are more kids enrolled in soccer in this country than in hockey. There are more kids enrolled in soccer than football and we have successful professional leagues for those sports. MLS is growing in leaps and bounds. Look what happened in the US since the 94 World Cup. Soccer is in a better position in Canada now than it was in the US in the early 90s.



The World Cup could improve the infrastructure in this country, and have direct measurable spinoff both immediately and long term.

That said, you need the right people in place. If you put morons and egomaniacs in place rather than planners and organizers then it will be a flop.

Like anything, if done right it'd be a great thing.

[edn88]

not a huge soccer fan, but if a WC game or games were held in Calgary, I would definitely go - whether Canada was in the game or not.

[Tinordi]

Yeah there's no way a World Cup is coming to Canada. Simply forget it.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Yeah there's no way a World Cup is coming to Canada. Simply forget it.

Canada: can host the Olympics time and time and time again. Host the World Cup? That's far too difficult for an economic powerhouse to do!

[Tinordi]

Wake up from the fantasy. No government on is going to pony $100s of millions to build stadiums to host a two week tournament for a sport that no body cares about.

Public money is FINITE. There's just no way this passes the sniff test.