DENVER, July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the U.S.
Women's National Team's return from another FIFA Women's World Cup
Championship in France, the Colorado Soccer Association, which
represents nearly 70,000 youth and adult soccer players across the
state, is helping to mobilize a coalition of Colorado leaders and
communities to ensure Denver is selected among final host cities
for the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2026.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock
joined representatives from the Colorado Soccer Association, the
Colorado Rapids, the Denver Sports Commission, VISIT DENVER and various other community leaders to
unveil elements of the campaign designed to generate awareness and
community support including a logo, hashtag and website.
"We're excited to be considered because we have the experience
and existing facilities to make this a tremendous success," said
Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia, bid
committee co-chair and former president of U.S. Soccer. "Denver is
in an ideal position to be selected, based on feedback from World
Cup organizers and initial support from our local soccer
community."
Already among the final U.S. cities in contention, Denver was
identified as a possible site when the U.S., Canada and Mexico
prepared a winning joint North American bid to host the 2026
games.
"We already have the world-class stadium and an electrifying
city that World Cup organizers want to see," said Nate Shotts, CEO of the Colorado Soccer
Association. "The next step is to provide resources for our city,
state and region to express support and enthusiasm by visiting our
website, posting on social media and voicing a level of excitement
that will ensure organizers and the world know that Denver is ready
to be a host."
Denver has hosted more than 30 high profile international soccer
events including national teams from around the world, and most
recently, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which brought more than 52,000
soccer fans to Broncos Stadium at Mile High in June for a double
header that featured Cuba vs. Martinique and Mexico vs. Canada
matchups.
"Denver for us for the Gold Cup and for CONCACAF, it's worked
great... and if it works for the Gold Cup, I don't see why it
wouldn't work for the World Cup," said CONCACAF chief of football
officer Manolo Zubiria. "It's more than just a stadium. It's
training facilities, hotels, airports, public transportation to get
to venues, and the quality of the field, the stadium itself, and
everything that it has to offer … not just in Denver, but everything nearby."
Denver has a demonstrated track record of hosting a variety of
world-class sporting events, including the MLS, MLB, NBA and NHL
All-Star games; MLB World Series games; NHL Stanley Cup games; the
NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Final Fours; the NCAA Frozen
Four; and the USA Pro Cycling
Challenge, among others.
Cities hosting World Cup 2026 games can expect to see up to
$360 million in economic impact,
according to a recent Boston Consulting Group study. Denver, the
state and the Rocky Mountain region also would benefit from
residual economic activity resulting from the global media exposure
associated with one of the most widely viewed sporting events in
the world.
Express your support by visiting Denver2026.com or by
tagging the effort at #Denver2026.
Media Contact:
Jeremy
Story – 720.984.2730
Amanda McConnell –
918.640.4148
GroundFloor Media
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SOURCE VISIT DENVER