Part of my point is that there aren't enough USABLE stadiums in major metro areas - which you didn't refute. And if we're talking about Michigan stadium specifically, it's also 45 miles from downtown Detroit. Not an easy distance to cover if you're a fan coming in just for the game.
Again, though, regardless of stadium size, was there ever a realistic chance of any location other than NY or LA metro areas?
Apparently Dallas was under serious consideration. Jerryworld does get some major events, but in the end they went with the safe choice of New York. Of course, a World Cup final would sell out a 100k stadium even in Anchorage Alaska, so it's all optics. And if Miami had an 80k seater they'd probably be considered too.
It’s FIFA, they probably changed the rules. Mind you, they probably should. 80,000 is far too limiting.
There are 11 stadia in the world over 100,000, 9 are in the US There are 7 stadia in the world between 90,000-100,000, 2 are in the US (others are in Barcelona, South Africa, Qatar, UK, and Egypt) There are 32 stadia between 80,000-90,000, 9 are in the US (of those outside the US-2 in Indonesia, 2 in China, 2 in Congo, Ireland, Indonesia, Malaysia and Kenya) So, 50 stadia over 80,000, 20 stadia in the US.
And as previously stated only 2 or perhaps 3 are real candidates to host the world cup. Many of our biggest stadiums don't even host a bowl game because they're in the middle of nowhere. Well, that and the bad weather hehe
Not relevant whatsoever. Even if a stadium is in the middle of nowhere, that would have no relevance for the World Cup final. It would be a sellout anywhere in America. Anywhere. You could have it in Lincoln, Nebraska or Auburn, Alabama and it would sell out in minutes. Besides, three of the 90,000 plus are in Columbus Dallas Athens, Ga They may suck (well, Athens was pretty cool when I was there last), but none are "the middle of nowhere." Now, we can say they lack the amenities for such an event, but that's a different story. As for bowl games, that is the weather and also is not relevant to the conversation.
Let’s not be silly, I love college towns, college football, and college football stadiums, but one is not hosting the World Cup final. You know what a a large section of fans do after a game in Ann Arbor or Lincoln, Nebraska? They go home because they live somewhere in the state. With a lower threshold of 70,000 you open up multitude of NFL stadiums in major cities that are built on the budgets of professional teams and taxpayers; not eclectic, lovable but often spartan college stadiums that are built on athletic department and alumni donations budgets.
I don't think the City of Athens would ever apply to host a World Cup match. Do they even have a public transit system? Anyway to put this to bed.
Each applicant city requires an airport "nearby" with a minimum capacity of 1,450 passengers per hour. Further, there needs to be an adequate way to efficiently funnel tourists from the airport to the stadium, including rail lines, shuttles, and areas for taxi services. FIFA requires 1,760 – 8,080 hotel rooms in each host city, based on which match will take place there.
Curiosity got the best of me, Google maps measure distance tool shows me that Michigan stadium is 199.69 ft wide across the green portion of the stadium floor. Works out to 66.6 yards wide. Some others that have been mentioned above: Ohio St. 184.34ft / 61.4yds UT-Austin 218.07ft / 72.69yds Cotton Bowl aerial has a field measuring approx 80yds X 130yds. it is clearly cut into the stands in the corners. Michigan Ohio St UT-Austin Cotton Bowl
The Silverdome was about 30 miles from downtown and 45 miles from the airport and it hosted World Cup games. Would Ann Arbor really be much different?
No issue for a group stage game. We're just talking about the final where everything is looked at under a microscope.
86,000 folks showed up to watch a tournament final there a few years ago, as I recall. And that game featured Nigeria.
Sounds like Austin is wide enough for at least a big friendly. I can't recall if it ever hosted one though.
The stadium and pitch requirements are only part of FIFA's requirements plus the university told the USSF they weren't interested in hosting more major internationals. Apparently cutting down the hedges didn't go down well with the locals. The City of Toronto said it would cost them C$90 million to meet FIFA's requirements, excluding stadium expansion, and Seattle estimated the cost at $80 million.
American stadiums know there is money in soccer. Time to take that into account when constructing these sports cathedrals. Sofi claimed it was built with a future world cup in mind. Why couldn't they get the pitch right?
A lot of those stadia are not wide enough. Especially the college football ones. The Horseshoe certainly is not.
So looking past the World Cup, it seems that the Olympics mens and women's finals will now be at the Rose Bowl (Sofi was planned to host the men's final, but now it will be used for swimming). I can't think of another stadium that's hosted 2 Olympic soccer finals. BTW it seems there is a minimum of 20k capacity to host Olympic Soccer. I wonder if SJ can expand their stadium just a tiny bit to get in on the fun. I think the current plan is to keep the entire soccer tournament within the state.