Lambeau Field Listed as Potential World Cup Site

[aaprigs311]

Lambeau Field in Green Bay is on a list of 70 stadiums that are potential venues for soccer matches if the United States is chosen as the host for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Camp Randall Stadium in Madison also is on the list released this afternoon by U.S. Soccer.

Letters detailing the bid process and criteria for venue selection were sent last week to public officials and stadium managers, who must respond to the USA Bid Committee by April 17.

Stadiums must have a capacity of 80,000 to host the opening and final matches. Lambeau Field’s capacity is 72,928. Camp Randall Stadium’s capacity is 80,321.

The U.S. is among nine nations seeking to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. The hosts will be chosen in December 2010. England and Spain are considered co-favorites for 2018, with the U.S. expected to have a better chance for 2022.

“The United States is uniquely qualified to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022 as demonstrated by the dozens of metropolitan markets with venues capable of staging World Cup matches in every respect, from the quality of their stadiums to their overall ability to accommodate thousands of fans, news media and visitors from around the world,” U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a media release.

“We will soon begin discussions with officials from throughout the U.S. in the name of presenting a world class proposal to FIFA and the global soccer community.”

Aside from Green Bay Packers games, the only other major sporting event ever hosted at Lambeau Field was the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic between the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State in February 2006. It drew a crowd of 40,890.

Other Midwest venues on the U.S. Soccer list: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa; Soldier Field in Chicago; Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati; Cleveland Browns Stadium; Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo.; Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio; University of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Ford Field in Detroit; Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich.; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.; the new TCF Bank Stadium and the Metrodome in Minneapolis; Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.; and Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

[aaprigs311]

I'm not a huge soccer fan, but I do get into the World Cup. If Lambeau or Camp Randall were miraculously chosen I would certainly try to hit up a game or two. I was at the Frozen Tundra Classic a couple years ago at Lambeau and it was a blast. What a boost the WC would bring to Green Bay's and Wisconsin's economy on top of a once in a life time experience.

[SteveScheffler]

I've never really gotten into soccer but that would be really frickin cool. im worried that it might put some kind of hex or curse n the team afterwards though.

[humanrefutation]

From a futbol fan and Madisonian perspective, that would be absolutely fantastic - though I think it's unlikely they'd host World Cup games in relatively small markets.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Yeah, Green Bay just doesn't make sense. Where are all these people suppose to go? (it doesn't even have enough seats)

[Ryan5UW]

From a futbol fan and Madisonian perspective, that would be absolutely fantastic - though I think it's unlikely they'd host World Cup games in relatively small markets.

Dude, it's football, and we're talking about Soccer here.... blah

(ok, just kidding, I actually do kinda get into the World Cup too)

[rilamann]

Soccer on the hallowed ground of Lambeau Field? Soccer? Vince would be rolling over in his grave.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocV5bGHdYag