Gameday Logistics

[yaz2k1]

Maybe some of you world cup veterans and experienced travelers can share your thoughts and experiences regarding some of the logistics on gamedays.

1. How early do you go to the stadium? Bearing in mind potential ID checks and security checks. Is 2 hours before kickoff reasonable? Will there be anything going on inside the stadium to keep people entertained?

2. Can you bring a backpack? I assume you can bring a camera. How about binuculars? Camcorders?

3. How late is public transportation available after games? (the 9:00 p.m kickoff games will end pretty late).

4. If you are not planning on staying the night in the game city, what are your options to store you luggage (assuming you don't have a rental car)? Railway stations lockers? Any other places?

5. I guess the issue of carrying a passport or not have been discusses to death :eek:

[famdawg]

According to the FIFA site, you can't bring in a camera.

[meista.de]

According to the FIFA site, you can't bring in a camera.

A first I thought u were kidding, so I checked myself and you really cant bring cameras. Why would you not be allowed to bring them? just gets me mad.

[globalexplorer]

I have been to only one previous World Cup so take this with a grain of salt - see answers below.

Maybe some of you world cup veterans and experienced travelers can share your thoughts and experiences regarding some of the logistics on gamedays.

1. How early do you go to the stadium? Bearing in mind potential ID checks and security checks. Is 2 hours before kickoff reasonable? Will there be anything going on inside the stadium to keep people entertained?

In Japan I got to games about 2 hours before and lines were long because of security (9/11 was only 9 months before). I'll probably get there 1-2 hours before the game this time. No entertainment that I can remember but what exactly are you looking for??

2. Can you bring a backpack? I assume you can bring a camera. How about binuculars? Camcorders?

I don't know about bringing backpacks but I wouldn't count on it. Camera and binoculars should be fine but I think Camcorders are out.

3. How late is public transportation available after games? (the 9:00 p.m kickoff games will end pretty late).

I read that the trains will run late and will wait until games finish (in case of extra time or penalty kicks) so I am assuming public transportation will run late too.

4. If you are not planning on staying the night in the game city, what are your options to store you luggage (assuming you don't have a rental car)? Railway stations lockers? Any other places?

Not sure about this one. After 9/11, a lot of airports and train stations got rid of their public lockers but this might vary by city.


5. I guess the issue of carrying a passport or not have been discusses to death :eek:

[Fevernova99]

Can you link me to the fifa site where it says cameras are not allowed? I would assume its camcorders but a regular camera? The beauty of any big sporting event is the flashes in the crowd at the beginning... i sure hope its camcorders and not cameras.....

[yaz2k1]

Can you link me to the fifa site where it says cameras are not allowed? I would assume its camcorders but a regular camera? The beauty of any big sporting event is the flashes in the crowd at the beginning... i sure hope its camcorders and not cameras.....

You are right. The FIFA info refers to video cameras but it's poorly worded, hence the confusion:rolleyes: But again most digital cameras can record video so you never know. Either way, I'm bringing my camera even if I have to hide it in my pants :p

[meista.de]

I looked at this http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/hoen.pdf and under #6 it says Camers and other video or audio recording equipment. I guess it is like the other member posted, just for camcorder or so.

[pangerho]

The pdf above seems to say something totally different from the website. If you look on the fifa world cup website, it says "except for private purposes."

(Gee, I'm so shocked to find more contradictions within the OC's regulations!!! :eek: Now I just have to find the part of the website that says I can sell the elimination rounds from my Togo TST-7 on ebay... )




http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/tickets/tac.html

6.
Ticket holders are not permitted to record (except for private purposes), transmit, or in any other manner disseminate over the internet or any other media, including mobile devices, any sound, image, description, or results of the Event, in whole or in part, or assist any other person(s) conducting such activities, without the prior written consent of the OC . No equipment or devices capable of being used for any such activities shall be brought into any Stadium, without the prior written consent of the OC.

7.
Photographs or images taken by Ticket holders whilst attending an Event match may only be used for personal, non commercial purposes, and must not be commercially exploited in any manner by any entity, without the prior written consent of the OC.

[captdf]

1. How early do you go to the stadium? Bearing in mind potential ID checks and security checks. Is 2 hours before kickoff reasonable? Will there be anything going on inside the stadium to keep people entertained?

I will be arriving at the stadium at least one hour before the match to make sure I can get through security w/o a problem, to wander around the stadium, and to soak up the atmosphere before the match.

BTW - Does anyone know if they serve beer in the stadia? I would assume they do, but there are certainly a lot of places around the world that don't.

2. Can you bring a backpack? I assume you can bring a camera. How about binuculars? Camcorders?

I'm bringing a small digital camera. I have no use for what FIFA says on its site anymore since they always contradict themselves. I can't imagine they'll have a problem with my camera (it can fit into a jeans pocket). Not bringing a backpack though. I'm sure they'll make you check it in before you enter the stadium if you do bring one.

3. How late is public transportation available after games? (the 9:00 p.m kickoff games will end pretty late).

As others have said, I'm sure public transportation will be available after the games. For places like Berlin where the stadium is outside the city center, there is no way they can expect people to cab it back to the city after the match.

5. I guess the issue of carrying a passport or not have been discusses to death :eek:

Even though I doubt they'll check everyone (or even a large number of people), I'm bringing mine to every match.

[bwiorly]

BTW - Does anyone know if they serve beer in the stadia? I would assume they do, but there are certainly a lot of places around the world that don't.

My understanding is non-alcoholic beer only (that was the rule at Euro 2000, which is the last big tournament I attended--people who went to WC 2002 and Euro 2004, feel free to share your experience).

Hey, I'm a beer drinker, but I have no problem with them not selling alcohol in the stadiums. I'm not going to die if I can't have a beer for a couple of hours--plus I've had my share of bad experiences with intoxicated fans at baseball games in the US... I'll happily have a couple of pints before and after the game but when I'm at the stadium, I'll focus on what's important--the game!

[scottk964]

My understanding is non-alcoholic beer only (that was the rule at Euro 2000, which is the last big tournament I attended--people who went to WC 2002 and Euro 2004, feel free to share your experience).

Hey, I'm a beer drinker, but I have no problem with them not selling alcohol in the stadiums. I'm not going to die if I can't have a beer for a couple of hours--plus I've had my share of bad experiences with intoxicated fans at baseball games in the US... I'll happily have a couple of pints before and after the game but when I'm at the stadium, I'll focus on what's important--the game!

I would be VERY surprised if they don't sell alcoholic beer. One reason is it's in Germany. The 2nd reason is I remember Budweiser getting the contract to be the sole beer provider in the stadiums, and a lot of Germans and others getting mighty upset (and rightly so) that they couldn't drink German beer in German stadiums.

[meininki]

I would be VERY surprised if they don't sell alcoholic beer. One reason is it's in Germany. The 2nd reason is I remember Budweiser getting the contract to be the sole beer provider in the stadiums, and a lot of Germans and others getting mighty upset (and rightly so) that they couldn't drink German beer in German stadiums.

There'll be Bitburger available, too, now:
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002420.php?rdf

[AGF Aarhus]

Both alcoholic Bitburger and Budweiser will be sold in the stadiums.

In Berlin at least, the public transport will run the entire night on game days.

I believe I read a post on the subject of lockers that in France 98 the ones at the train station were not in use for security reasons. That could be a potential problem, and I don't know what the solution would be.

I also remember reading somewhere (don't remember where, so don't hold me to it) that there will be a place to check items that they don't you take into the stadium (in case tehy won't let you in with your camera, for instance). I can only image how awful that will be logistically, though.

Passports have indeed been discussed as nauseum, but FIFA is crystal clear that you should bring yours. Make your own decision, but I can't think of any reason why not to.

[bwiorly]

Both alcoholic Bitburger and Budweiser will be sold in the stadiums.

I stand corrected then--and might even have a Bitburger at half-time :)

I assume they'll keep prices fairly high to discourage heavy consumption--even though it's not as much a worry as it is at baseball games in the US since AFAIK you don't have vendors going up and down the stands at soccer games in Europe and your only chance to get a cold one is either before the game or at half-time at the concession stands (unless you're ready to miss some action to go get a beer while play is on...)

[RichardL]

Maybe some of you world cup veterans and experienced travelers can share your thoughts and experiences regarding some of the logistics on gamedays.

1. How early do you go to the stadium? Bearing in mind potential ID checks and security checks. Is 2 hours before kickoff reasonable? Will there be anything going on inside the stadium to keep people entertained?

two hours will be more than ample. Most people will arrive in the last hour.

If the confederations cup was anything to go by then there was incredibly little pre-match entertainment, if any at all. It's just not a big thing over here as people don't tend to turn up two hours early.
A number of the stadiums are in a park, so if you want to get there early then just getting a beer, finding an empty bit of grass and watching the world go by is an option. Fan-watching can be interesting at these kind of events. I went to Japan v Greece and it was great seeing several of the Japanese girls in Kimonos, and several of the greek guys in traditional greek military uniforms. It's a whole different vibe to a league match.



3. How late is public transportation available after games? (the 9:00 p.m kickoff games will end pretty late).

public transport is usually on pretty late anyway. I know Frankfurt is putting on extra services all night after games there, and I'd imagine all cities are doing similar. I wouldn't expect extra long distance rail services to be introduced though.


4. If you are not planning on staying the night in the game city, what are your options to store you luggage (assuming you don't have a rental car)? Railway stations lockers? Any other places?

as well as railway station lockers, most major stations also have a luggage room where it can be left and you get a ticket. This will usually have spaces long after the lockers are full.

[BoosterMcCall]

RE: cameras, I read that you're OK as long as you don't have a camera with one of those huge zoom lenses (and hence can take pro-quality pictures). When you think about it, nearly every mobile phone in Europe has a digital camera built in - what are they going to do, confiscate all those too?

[mrtandy]

According to this

http://www.fanguide2006.org/en/news-archiv/20060320

You can take Camera's.

[dathrilla]

Both alcoholic Bitburger and Budweiser will be sold in the stadiums.

In Berlin at least, the public transport will run the entire night on game days.

I believe I read a post on the subject of lockers that in France 98 the ones at the train station were not in use for security reasons. That could be a potential problem, and I don't know what the solution would be.

I also remember reading somewhere (don't remember where, so don't hold me to it) that there will be a place to check items that they don't you take into the stadium (in case tehy won't let you in with your camera, for instance). I can only image how awful that will be logistically, though.

Passports have indeed been discussed as nauseum, but FIFA is crystal clear that you should bring yours. Make your own decision, but I can't think of any reason why not to.


Some people like to return to their countries after the World Cup, so for travellers, long-distance ones in particular, their passports become their lives. It is indeed much more important than CC's, cameras, and for some people even CASH. People usually don't carry their passports around with them because of the fear of losing it, I don't think jumping and screaming among 50'000+ people would be of any help in the protection of your passport.

[AGF Aarhus]

Is your passport more secure:
a. in your hotel room (remember, not everyone has access to a safe)
b. in your car
c. in a locker
d. on your person

Two of these can get broken into and one means that you carry a key that can just as easily be lost. If you're really concernced, buy a money belt and put it in there.

[dathrilla]

hahaha

Are you telling me that the chances of your passport getting stolen in a locked hotel room/ or your car getting broken into is more than if it was with you when you're "screaming and jumping among 50'000 people" in a football stadium??? You need to rethink the probabilities...