January 13 – FIFA will open the doors to its World Football Museum to the general public on February 28, two days after the world governing body has elected a new president.
Construction work on the museum building began at Tessinerplatz near Zurich-Enge station began nearly two years ago with now banned FIFA president Sepp Blatter, a strong supporter of the project, taking part in a ground-breaking ceremony.
The building contractor officially handing over the renovated ‘Haus zur Enge’ to the museum operator, FIFA Museum AG, on December 18.
FIFA’s says its investment in the project amounts to CHF140 million ($139 million), of which the museum itself accounts for about CHF 30 million. FIFA has signed a rental lease for the building through to 2055.
Entry to the museum will cost about CHF 20, with visitors experiencing an exhibition area of more than 3,000 sq m over three levels and more than 1,000 unique football objects.
Primarily themed around the development of the international game and the power of the World Cup, it has a number of interactive and multimedia experiences designed to capture the excitement of the sports greatest moments. There will be more than 15 interactive stations and over 60 screens, as well as the ubiquitous FIFA World Cup Trophy.
A sports bar, bistro, cafeteria, shop and a library with more than 4,000 football-related books will be accessible without a museum entry ticket.
Between now and opening the the museum will go through an intensive test phase. “We will be testing the museum with various groups,” explains managing director Stefan Jost. “We will also be conducting tests with the museum running at full capacity.”
“We will also be able to host a wide range of events as well as fascinating panel discussions in our seminar and event area,” said Jost.
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