Three New Stadiums central to Australia's World Cup Bid

Australia has today submitted its bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Zurich, with proposes the building of three new stadiums if the bid is successful.

All levels of Australian Government are backing the bid with agreements reached on infrastructure and operational matters.

10 host cities have been selected as part of the Bid under Australia’s nationwide hosting proposal that will see FIFA World Cup™ matches in six states and territories.

Three new stadiums will be built and nine others upgraded and improved, should the Bid be successful, providing a $2.8 billion infrastructure legacy for all sporting codes and generations to come.

New stadiums will be built in Perth, Canberra and Blacktown in Western Sydney underpinning a national infrastructure legacy for Australian sport prior to and following a FIFA World Cup™.

The stadiums and host cities proposed for the FIFA World Cup were selected following a rigorous assessment process involving industry experts in the areas of sports architecture, engineering, cost planning, security, transport and environment.

The leather-bound, 750-page Bid Book that contains Australia’s hosting concept and all of the technical aspects of the Bid was submitted at FIFA’s headquarters.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy, AC, said the completion of the Bid documentation was an exciting milestone in Australia’s history, stating “we’re proud to be presenting to FIFA bid documents that highlight a technically brilliant bid supported by unified government funding and commitment at all levels.

“This nationwide hosting proposal means millions of sports fans across the country will be able to enjoy the biggest and most exciting sporting event in the world in wonderful new or upgraded stadiums in their own cities.

“The infrastructure investment will leave a legacy to all sporting codes in the nation before and after the FIFA World Cup for generations to come.”

“This is our chance to shine and convince FIFA that Australia is the best place to stage the biggest single sporting event on earth,” Minister for Sport Kate Ellis said.

“Australia’s Bid Book reflects the expertise and enthusiasm that the world has come to expect from major events hosted in Australia.

“Announcing the cities and stadiums is another important milestone in our quest to host the single largest sporting event in Australia and bring all its benefits to the people of Australia."

The 10 host cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Geelong and Townsville.

The new stadiums include a 60,000-seat stadium on the Subiaco precinct in Perth, a 40,000-seat stadium near the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and a 41,000-seat stadium in Blacktown in Sydney’s south west.

The stadiums to be upgraded and have their capacity either permanently or temporarily increased include Stadium Australia, Sydney Football Stadium, MCG, Geelong Stadium, Townsville Stadium, Adelaide Oval, Gold Coast, Newcastle Stadium and Brisbane Stadium.

FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley said the Bid shows Australia can deliver the best experience for teams and fans in Australia and the region, adding “this is our opportunity to showcase our unique and beautiful country to the world.

“Our Bid is a tailor-made, compelling concept that shows Australia is ready to fulfill the dream of holding the FIFA World Cup on every continent on the globe.”

Images: The proposed new Blacktown Stadium (top) and the upgraded Skilled Stadium in Geelong in football mode (below).

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