Seventy deep. Every college football house of the holy is on the list, from what I can tell. No SSS, which isn't a surprise. Almost every one is 65k-plus.
Well, as much as I'd love it, there's no way Royal Memorial will make it. While it'll be one of the largest capacity stadiums in the country once they finally get done with the expansion (over 100,000, if I remember right) , I'm almost 100% certain that a FIFA/World Cup sized soccer field won't fit.
wouldn't they organize it so travel is feasible for fans? 15 Hosts North East 1. Boston 2. NYC 3. Philly South 4. Orlando 5. Miami 6. Tampa Midwest 7. Chicago 8. Detroit 9. Indianapolis Plains 10. Dallas 11. Houston 12. KC West 13. Seattle 14. San Francisco 15. LA
Why would they do that--they didn't do it in '94 (balanced locations). There's no way DC would get passed over. Hell, by '18 or '22 Danny might have a new stadium in DC proper.
Would they use a dome? Doesn't Indy have a dome? I think they would definitely go with ATL instead of Indy if they are using domes. DC will definitely we in contention.
I'm just wondering, are all these college stadiums fit for FIFA WC standards? What I mean is by amenities, not seating capacities. I know some college stadiums are pretty much big concrete bowls with seats that are pretty outdated.
Clearly not. Most wouldn't even be able to fit a regulation FIFA field, let alone a FIFA WC-sized field. I think USSF is drawing as big a circle as possible, and then narrowing down.
I wish we would only choose stadiums that hold 100k+. That would be such an awesome statement, and it's one we could make by 2022 if the right people wanted it. An 80k+ minimum capacity would be more realistic. I really want to set an attendance record that couldn't be touched.
I'm also talking about things like luxury boxes, press boxes, individual seating, enough concession stands and bathrooms, good security systems in place. Because I think people are focusing way too much on capacity when FIFA has a bunch of other variables they are looking at. I personally think a stadium like the Big House would be impressive numbers wise (with like 110,000 seats) but I don't know if FIFA would want that ahead of a smaller more modern stadium like Soldier Field (60k).
Perhaps . . . until you consider the impact of four extra hours flying (and three more time zones) and lack of direct flights on our European based players.
The Rose Bowl, plain and simple, will host the Final in the next American WC. Again. Reason? FIFA loves it. Why? 1984 Olympic Final, 1994 World Cup Final, 1998 (or was it 2000? who cares) Women's Final. All successful in that venue beyond anyone's wildest expectations. They like the familiar and they like 93,000 plus in a perfect bowl near Hollywood. 2018 or 2022, doesn't matter, the Rose Bowl is timeless and has proven to hold exactly what FIFA desires. A few small upgrades over the years is all it will take.
All good points, which suggest the newer NFL stadia are the likely locations -- Linc, Razor, Soldier Field II, Meadowlands II, Reliant, Cowboy, Cardinal, etc. They're big enough, the fields are closer to what FIFA will require, they're nice and shiny which will make a better impression on the selection committee. Of course, a more cycnical person would say the NCAA stadia are good options since universities have, since time immemorial, used coeds to seduce football or basketball recruits. Trade 40 lbs. of muscle for 40 lbs. of fat, of course.
Hopefully the evil Metrodome will be nothing but a bad memory by 2022... LaVell Edwards Stadium would rock - great venue, would be packed, and the view of the mountains is even more spectacular that at either Rice-Eccles or Rio Tinto...but, if Anheiser-Busch is still a sponsor of the FIFA World Cup and expects their name on the signage on the field at Brigham Young University?!?!?!?!?!? Never happen. Not in a million years.
Indy has a retractable roof stadium, much like Fords Field. http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/Assets/userfiles/Image/photo_gallery/football_configuration_2.jpg
Ford Field doesn't have a retractable roof. I would think Lucas Oil would get the nod over Detroit anyway.
They're sending inquiries to the authorities that run the various stadiums, asking them if they are interested and if they could make whatever changes are necessary to meet World Cup standards.