LEICESTER is bidding to be a host city in England’s campaign to bring the FIFA World Cup to this country in 2018. 
 
England’s bid and the selection process for host cities will be launched at Wembley today (Monday 18th). A delegation from Leicester – led by city council leader Cllr Ross Willmott and chairman of Leicester City Football Club Milan Mandaric – will be there to confirm the city’s interest in hosting at least one match at the Walkers Stadium during the competition. 
 
Cities across the whole of the country will be considered as potential host venues for matches as the England bid is developed over the coming months. 
 
The cities must submit formal bids by October this year, with the England bid management making a final decision in December. England’s bid will be submitted to the game’s governing body, FIFA, in May 2010, with member nations voting on the winning country in December 2010. 
 
“We are convinced Leicester will make a great host city,” said Cllr Willmott. 
 
“Our facilities, the ease of access, our diverse population, our record as a great sporting city and the huge enthusiasm of our people for sporting success all give us a real chance of helping England win the bid for 2018.” 
 
Milan Mandaric is delighted that Leicester has joined the bid to become a host city: 
 
“The Walkers Stadium would make a magnificent venue to host World Cup matches, should England win the bid to host the 2018 tournament,” he said. 
 
“It is a stadium that was designed and built with the idea of potential expansion. We look forward to working with everyone on the bid team to try to turn this big idea into a reality to be enjoyed not only in Leicestershire and England but by the entire world.” 
 
Representatives of the city and county met FA bid officials last month to discuss the bid, after the city expressed an interest in being considered. 
 
The meeting was chaired by Nick Carter, chairman of Prospect Leicestershire – the company that will co-ordinate work on the bid. He said: “It was a very good meeting and we all felt there was a real opportunity for Leicester to become a host city. 
 
"The FA are looking for cities that have a real partnership with the surrounding areas and the economic partnership between the city and county is unique in the UK. It will be a great strength in our bid.” 
 
Host cities will have show they can satisfy a range of requirements, including: 
• A stadium to hold a minimum of 40,000 people 
• Hotel accommodation for teams, officials and fans 
• Fan parks for supporters 
• Good travel links with the rest of the country 
• Training facilities and potential base camps for national teams 
 
Although the Walkers Stadium holds only 32,000 people, it could be expanded were Leicester City to reach the Premiership. The bid for host city does not require that a stadium should comply with the requirements immediately, but that it should be capable of complying and plans will be prepared for that to happen. 
 
The economic benefits to host cities are considerable, with the potential for as many as 200,000 fans turning up to watch matches either in the stadium or in giant fan parks. According to FA figures, the average World Cup visitor spends 40% more than the average tourist. 
 
Mr Carter said: “Businesses in the city and across the whole county would benefit from the influx of fans and also from the world-wide attention that would fall on the area during 2010 because of the England bid campaign. 
 
“There is a great deal to be done, but we are confident we can put together a very strong case for how Leicester would make a real contribution to England’s bid.” 
 
David Parsons, leader of Leicestershire County Council, added: “This is another example of the county and city councils working together for the benefit of all the people of Leicester and Leicestershire.   Being part of a winning England bid will be a big boost to the economy of the whole area.” 
 
Andy Anson, Bid CEO, said: “There is a huge passion for football in this country and a shared determination to do all we can to bring the FIFA World Cup to England in 2018. Determining our candidate list of host cities is an integral part of that Bid process, which is why we are so delighted by the positive reaction and enthusiasm to the project from so many cities across England. I have no doubt that, together, we will deliver an exceptional World Cup Bid to FIFA next May.” 
 
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said: “We want to see a wide geographical spread of host cities so that the benefits of hosting the World Cup would touch all parts of the country.  I am glad that so many cities want to be a part of the bid and have entered into the competition to be selected as a host venue.   
 
“A World Cup in England in 2018 would be a powerful inspiration for a new generation of football fans and players. We will help the England 2018 team develop a programme that will encourage young people to participate in football - not just in this country but overseas.” 
 
As well as Cllr Ross Willlmott and Milan Mandaric, Leicester’s delegation to Wembley will also include Lee Hoos, chief executive of Leicester City Football Club, Cllr Patrick Kitterick, cabinet lead for regeneration, Nick Carter, chairman of Prospect Leicestershire, Alistair Reid, strategic director for regeneration, development and culture at the city council, Andy Robinson, assistant chief executive for Leicestershire County Council, Martin Peters, chief executive, Leicester Shire Promotions, James Ellis, director of football at Loughborough University, Tess Booth, marketing and communications manager at the city council, Deborah Rose, development team manager at the city council, and a representative of the Leicestershire Police.