As a USA WNT fan, potentially traveling to a tournament for the first time next summer I would like to come up with a travel plan for Summer Olympics 2012 so that I can start saving now. I want to extrapolate to see how feasible it is for me to get to this, and whether or not it would be worthwhile for me to take 2 weeks vacation. Can anyone who has travelled internationally, specifically for an Olympic event, lend in on any of the following: *Airfare, from EWR or BWI to London, Round Trip, during Olympic peak times: *Nightly hotel cost (range) for any or several of the 17 nights from 7/25 through 8/11: *Ground transportation between match sites, likely via megabus but possibly a rental vehicle or taxi: *Tickets to USWNT and/or USMNT matches would cost (range): and What is the ticket selection process? What is the resale market like? etc. *The exchange rate, from $ to EURO, however unfavorable that may be, must be taken into consideration as well. Is there a good or bad time to purchase the Euro? Is there a sufficient credit card availability for dining, taxi, and hotels? Furthermore, do the women's and men's schedules tend to overlap/coincide much, or will there be several separate opportunities to support both USMNT and USWNT, assuming both qualify?
-No Euros in England it is the GBP. -Tickets are avaiable seems no one gives a damn about football at the olympics. -Hotel night cost 50 GBP in cheap hotels about 80 USD
Historically it seems the women and men play on separate days. Usually it's something similar to this .......... 16 day tournament (Olympics soccer schedule) Two days before Day 1: Women's group round - 1st game (all groups) One day before Day 1: Men's group round - 1st game (all groups) Day 1: Off Day (Opening Ceremony) Day 2: Women's group round - 2nd game (all groups) Day 3: Men's group round - 2nd game (all groups) Day 4: Off Day Day 5: Women's group round - 3rd game (all groups) Day 6: Men's group round - 3rd game (all groups) Day 7: Off Day Day 8: Women's Quarterfinals (all 4 matches) Day 9: Men's Quarterfinals (all 4 matches) Day 10: Off Day Day 11: Women's Semifinals (both matches) Day 12: Men's Semifinals (both matches) Day 13: Off Day Day 14: Women's Bronze and Gold Medal Match (both matches) Day 15: Men's Bronze and Gold Medal Match (both matches) Day 16: Closing Ceremony
Did I read the qualifying rules correct...?? No Germany at the Olympics because Sweden and France made the semi's at the WC and England is in as host? This makes that loss to Japan even more damaging. That said, why does the African fed get two automatic bids? I say the runner up in Africa should have to play the fourth place Euro team for the bid. Another note, why is Australia in the Asia fed and not the Oceanic fed? Seems odd to me.
That is correct. But it is the United Kingdom that is host, England is not in the IOC so they can not be part of the Olympic. As far as I know there are still not decided if UK will run pure english teams under the UK flag or (for the first time ever?) create UK teams based on the Best players in the entier UK (probably 2-3 Scots and the rest English anyway) Australias men's side thought they would develop better in Asia so Australia requested to move. It was ok:ed by both the Oceanian and Asian Condereation. The move have probably been good for the Australia MNT but have had a even better positive effect on their WNT.
Even though this thread drifted away from the financial question and into the analysis of the field, I am intrigued by all the new info. I am learning about it. I still don't know if I can afford to attend but I will start to pursue the sites hotels and flights to see what is available as soon as we CLINCH tomorrow night! Thanks all for your input.
predictions for the remaining qualifiers: CONCACAF(2): USA & Mexico AFC(2): Japan & Australia CAF(2): Nigeria & Ethiopia OFC(1): New Zealand already qualified: Hosts(1): Great Britian UEFA(2): Sweden & France CONMEBOL(2): Brazil & Colombia
I'm also thinking about it but the tough part I feel like is getting the exact tickets to the exact games you want to go to (for the team you are cheering on the most)
One Scottish player ( Julie Fleeting ) has already said she won't play for team GB. It will depend on who manages that team. You can imagine that person might say Kim Little is not good enough compared to the English players.
Hykos please keep in mind most of the games are NOT in London. If supporting the US soccer teams is your primary goal you may want to wait to see where they play and book rooms in those cities for cheap. From the schedule only 1 group match is in London and 1 SF plus the Final. The official seller for Americans is Cosport.com, go there to see how you can apply for tickets. If you want the Olympic experience in London then you should book your room asap, that will likely be the most expensive portion of your trip. As for the flight you may be able to fly into a nearby city and go to London via train. You can apply for the Football Finals in Wembley and see how lucky you are if you intend to only stay in London. In Beijing because China was not able to go into the semis on the night of the gold medal Finals (doubleheader) there was a massive dumping of tickets for below face value all around the stadium. Unless its a marquee matchup then I dont think you will have a problem finding a ticket on match day.
And remebr in Engalnd (at least outside the London area, not sure if is true tehre or not). B&B is the more cost effective alternative to low cost hotel.
Is there a chance that the women's final will be played at Wembley? If so, what size crowd might be drawn?
Yes 1 semi-final and final played at Wembley. Tickets are cheap. I got some for both games without problems.