By David Gold
April 21 – Supporters travelling to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup without tickets will still be able to watch matches courtesy of a giant screen on iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, following confirmation of the 12 Fan Fest venues.
FIFA made the official announcement of the dozen locations – and the world-famous Copacabana is sure to offer a unforgettable way to experience the World Cup in the tournament’s most successful country.
The Copacabana, which has hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (pictured below) on 10 occasions since its inception in 1995, will be one of four Olympic zones when the Olympic and Paralympics visit Rio in 2016; the beach features a number of hotels, bars and restaurants along its promenade.
The Fan Fest sites will give supporters the chance to gather in a number of Brazil’s acclaimed tourist spots to watch World Cup action on giant screens; musical and other cultural attractions will help to further entice supporters.
The Fan Fest initiative proved a popular part of the official World Cup programme at Germany 2006.
Legendary Brazilian forward Ronaldo (pictured bottom), now a member of the Brazil 2014 Organising Committee, said he was “sure this will be the best FIFA Fan Fest of all time.”
He added: “The FIFA Fan Fest symbolises the most exciting part of football and the World Cup: thousands of fans gathered to watch a match together and celebrate.
“The Fan Fest brings together people from all social backgrounds.
“As Brazilians, we have always had the custom of cheering for our national team in large popular festivals all over the country.”
Thierry Weil, FIFA’s Marketing Director, said: “The Fan Fest provides FIFA and the organising committee with a platform to strengthen the fan experience of the World Cup, taking the event to millions of fans outside the stadiums.
“We’re delighted by the enthusiasm shown by the host cities so far and look forward to implementing this spectacular event together in 2014.”
The 12 Fan Fest locations are:
Belo Horizonte: the Praça de Estação, a picturesque square by the Rui Barbosa railway station in the city centre;
Brasilia: the Esplanada dos Ministérios will host a festival in front of Brazil’s Congress;
Cuiaba: the fest will be held in the Parque de Exposiçöes (exhibition park);
Curitiba: the Parque Barigui, one of the biggest parks in the city;
Fortaleza: Iracema beach;
Manaus: the capital of the Amazon region and the spot where the Amazon and Negro rivers meet; the Memorial Encontro das Aguas resort (‘meeting of the waters’) is being built specially;
Natal: the Forte beach;
Porto Alegre: the Praça Glenio Perez, a public area in the centre of the city;
Recife: Marco Zero, the founding spot of the city;
Rio de Janeiro: the iconic and world-famous Copacabana 4km-long beach
Salvador: the Beach Garden of Allah overlooking the Atlantic Ocean;
São Paulo: Brazil’s biggest city will have a screen erected at the Vale do Anhangabau, an attractive square with fountains and local amenities.
In 2010 over six million fans were able to enjoy the World Cup action at similar sites in South Africa as well as in six other locations across the world: Berlin, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney.
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