Sydney to host Fan Fest

Sydney has been selected by FIFA as one of seven global cities to host an International Fan Fest for next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Sydney has been selected by FIFA as one of seven global cities to host an International Fan Fest for next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The other cities include Berlin, London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Rome as well as nine South African cities.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup attracted 26.2 billion viewers on a cumulative basis and records are set to be broken in 2010. Entrance to the FIFA Fan Fest is free with all 64 matches broadcast on giant screens in a safe and secure environment.

Official public viewings were launched by FIFA in 2006 when more than 18 million fans gathered at official sites in Germany.

"The FIFA Fan Fest was an important part of the success of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and we believe that the 2010 FIFA Fan Fests, both in South Africa and in the other seven international venues, will bring an unprecedented experience to millions of football fans in South Africa and around the world,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “The first International FIFA Fan Fest is another milestone in bringing the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to an even greater audience.”

FFA CEO Ben Buckley congratulated Sydney on being selected as one of a handful of cities around the world for the FIFA Fan Fest.

"It's terrific that FIFA sees Australia and Australian fans as an important market for them, and have invited Sydney to be one of the sites for an FIFA Fan Fest.

"Sydney will provide a magnificent backdrop for the FIFA Fan Fest. It also allows us to show to the world the growing passion of Australia for the world game as we follow the Qantas Socceroos next year."