Women’s World Cup kicking it up a notch

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This article was published 02/06/2015 (4139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FIFA fever is creeping over southwest Winnipeg and it’s hottest at Investors Group Field, known for now as Winnipeg Stadium.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off on June 6 with Canada meeting China at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta. In Winnipeg, the festivities are already well underway with a free public Fan Zone showing the Canadian match on the big screen June 6 in the Winnipeg Stadium plaza, a university campus and downtown decorated with FIFA colours, and thousands of international visitors flooding the city.

According to Winnipeg Stadium general manager Chad Falk, FIFA game days in Winnipeg will be a new experience for Manitoba sports fans.

“I think it will look a lot different than what Winnipeggers are used to in a Blue Bomber game or something like that,” Falk said.

FIFA officials say thousands of tickets have been picked up by international soccer fans from the U.S., Sweden and Germany including a handful of supporter’s clubs — fervent football fans who swarm after their choice team, leading the crowd in celebration.

“If our exhibition game last year in May was any indication, when Canada and USA played here it was a very loud, passionate crowd that you would see typical of a European soccer crowd,” Falk said.

“And with all the international visitors that we have coming, I think Winnipeggers are in for a treat to see just how loud and passionate these soccer crowds are.”

Winnipeg’s FIFA game day experience will differ greatly from the Bomber experience firstly in the look and feel of the stadium. All branding not related to FIFA has been removed from Winnipeg Stadium, from the concessions to the exterior.

Many of the concessions typical of a Winnipeg Blue Bomber game will still be available but where one might have purchased a Nip before, they’ll be asking for a cheeseburger instead, said Falk. FIFA merchandise and team jerseys will also be available for purchase.

Two of FIFA’s main sponsors are Coca-Cola and Budweiser, meaning only certain beverages will be available for purchase during the games. According to Falk, no spirits or wine will be served during games, only beer and Coke products, which is standard FIFA policy across all venues.

Another deviation from major stadium events is FIFA’s re-entry policy. Once spectators are inside the venue they cannot return on the same ticket, including double headers.

“On the double header matches you can come for the first game and then leave or stay for the whole day,” Falk explained. “We have the Fan Zone for people between matches, the concessions will be running, there’s lots of things to do to keep people entertained. We just hope people will enjoy a day out at the stadium and watch some great soccer.”

Falk expects the increased traffic and influx of visitors to the stadium over the two weeks FIFA is in town will have a small impact on neighbours.

“We worked very closely with the city, the university, the stadium, the neighbourhood association and all the similar partners that the Bombers work with on a game day experience,” Falk said, adding that spectators will be “trickling” into the area.

The local transportation plan is also available online and emphasizes mass transportation through a park and ride service ($5), regular transit service, hotel shuttle service, and active transportation with a bike valet. On-site parking is available for $10 and $20.

Tickets are still available for most of the games, including No. 1-ranked Germany and reigning World Cup champions Japan.  

For more information and tickets go to http://winnipeg.fwwc2015.ca/spectator-information

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