Twitter
Facebook
The stage is ready for the biggest soccer party ever, according to organizers. They expect about seven to eight million visitors to come to the official fan fests in the 12 FIFA cities in Germany. This is twice as much as the number of people expected to come to the stadium.
Official fan fests in Kaiserslautern will take place on Stiftsplatz and on the former Bosch-Platz on Barbarossastrasse.
***image1***“We know there is a ticket problem and that’s why we are happy to guarantee, in cooperation with the 12 World Cup cities and FIFA, the broadcasting of the matches on big screens, so fans who don’t have tickets can enjoy them among others,” said organization committee vice president Horst R. Schmidt.
The live broadcasting of 56 matches (eight matches take place parallel) are accompanied by an attractive entertaining and music program. Many live shows on television and radio will be transmitted from central public viewing locations, also on days when no matches take place. Admission is free in all places.
“Sponsors help to finance the basic infrastructure, but mainly it’s up to the cities to take care of events,” said Mr. Schmidt.
FIFA cities pay their expenses by renting space and with the help of local and regional enterprises being sponsors. Next to a U.S. brewery local and regional breweries will be able to sell their products. Also, a wide range of international and local culinary specialties will be offered.
“We are happy to be able to offer such an event for fans and visitors,” said Dr. Urs Linsi, FIFA general secretary. “Every city has two match locations, the stadium and the fan fest.”
Erwin Saile, World Cup coordinator of the city of Kaiserslautern, is looking forward to the fan events. “We don’t have such big locations as Hamburg or Stuttgart does, but on Stifsplatz, right in the center of town, we will offer a unique atmosphere,” said Mr. Saile. Stiftsplatz can hold about 6,000 visitors. Since organizers expect a lot more on days when games take place, the “World Cup mile” will be an additional attraction. It will be set up between the two fan fest locations.
Throughout Germany, live transmissions can be watched on huge screens, even in restaurants and beer gardens. (Information provided by World Cup office of the city of Kaiserslautern)
