Charlotte to host World Cup Matches - Yea or Nay (Jacksonville: hotels, university)

[Carolina Blue]

So this week Charlotte submits its bid to be a World Cup host city if the US is selected for the 2018 or 2022 matches. Between 12 to 18 US host cities will be announced in December. So what does everyone think? Will Charlotte win a spot?

Link: USA Bid Committee Announces List of 27 Cities Still in Contention For Inclusion in U.S. Bid to Host FIFA World Cupâ„¢ in 2018 or 2022 - U.S. Soccer

Related Article: Hosting World Cup matches would cost Charlotte $8 million - CharlotteObserver.com (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/1047004.html - broken link)

The competition...

Metro/Stadium/Capacity

Atlanta Georgia Dome 71,250

Baltimore M & T Bank Stadium 71,008

Boston Gillette Stadium 71,693

Charlotte Bank of America Stadium 73,778

Chicago Soldier Field 61,000

Cleveland Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,000

Dallas Cotton Bowl 89,000
Dallas Cowboys Stadium 100,000

Denver INVESCO Field 76,125

Detroit Ford Field 67,188
Detroit Michigan Stadium 108,000

Houston Reliant Stadium 71,500

Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium 64,200

Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 82,000

Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium 77,000

Los Angeles Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 93,607
Los Angeles Rose Bowl 92,000+

Miami Land Shark Stadium 75,540

Nashville LP Field 69,143

New York/N.J. New Meadowlands Stadium 82,000

Oakland Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 63,026

Orlando Florida Citrus Bowl 65,616

Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field 67,594

Phoenix/Glendale University of Phoenix Stadium 71,000

San Diego Qualcomm Stadium 70,500

San Francisco Stanford Stadium 50,500

Seattle Qwest Field 67,000
Seattle Husky Stadium 72,500

St. Louis Edward Jones Dome 67,268

Tampa Raymond James Stadium 65,856

Washington, D.C. RFK Stadium 45,600
Washington, D.C. FedExField 91,704

[WHM1]

Nay !!!!

[njmdpanc]

It would be nice to have it in Charlotte but I gotta believe that Jerry Jones in Dallas has already been throwing money toward having it at his shrine. The guy has money and will pay for all the extras the committee wants, as well as having seating for over 100k.

[bs13690]

I have no idea if it will or not but it would be nice. I am sure it would bring a little bit of money to locals!

[Sepulgeek]

I hope so. I hope either Charlotte (preferred) or Atlanta will get it. I would really love to go to a match no matter who is playing.

[Carolina Blue]

Well I took a look at the list and ranked the cities. IMO its going to be a long shot for Charlotte. It really depends on how many cities they pick. Apparently it will be as few as 12, or as many as 18. I gave cities bidding only with domes that don't retract the lowest rankings..

1. New York/N.J.
2. Los Angeles
3. Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD
4. Dallas
5. Chicago
6. San Francisco/Oakland
7. Miami
8. Philadelphia
9. Denver
10. Phoenix/Glendale
11. San Diego
12. Orlando
13. Houston
14. Tampa
15. Boston
16. Seattle
17. Detroit
18. Kansas City
19. Charlotte
20. Nashville
21. Jacksonville
22. Indianapolis
23. Cleveland
24. Atlanta
25. St. Louis

[vindaloo]

This would be a great opportunity to get more international attention and to bring foreigner tourism.

[smclarke4]

I hope so.

[Stripes17]

I'd like to see Dallas get it. Aside from having an absolutely wonderful venue, they are in the central part of our country and it's not too hard of a trip from either coast. Dallas is also more regional to Central / South America, plus they are near some major cities that can provide airports, hotels, and the like for travelers. It's also not too far of a trip for our Canadian friends who like the sport too.

[Barkingowl]

Nope.