March 26 – Russian World Cup organisers are planning to stage fan fests across the country during next year’s tournament in Brazil – four years before their own event.
The general public will be able to enter free of charge, with the aim of building interest for 2018. A final decision expected before the end of this year. Alexey Sorokin, 2018 chief executive, said: “We’re confident that interest in the World Cup in Brazil will be significant among the Russian people, particularly given that our own country is the next host.”
“Russian fans who are unable to visit Brazil next summer will have a chance to celebrate the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the international FIFA Fan Fests in the Russian host cities. Now the LOC and especially the host cities have to evaluate their resources to organise the fan zones during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and make a decision.”
FIFA’s head of strategy and brand management, Ralph Straus, welcomed the idea. “The possibility of a FIFA Fan Fest in Russia in 2014…would give the host cities the chance to provide Russian fans with an insight into the amazing FIFA World Cup experience ahead of 2018.” he said. “We are looking forward to developing discussions with the host cities and seeing whether they are interested in exploring this opportunity.”
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