Birmingham bid to host World Cup matches could cost £15m in taxpayers' money

Nov 26 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Mail

THE city’s bid to host World Cup football matches at Villa Park could cost council tax-payers £15 million, it has been revealed.

That’s the estimated amount the city council would have to pay FIFA in return for the right to stage six games at the prestigious tournament.

But council leaders insist that if England’s bid to stage either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup is successful and if Birmingham is chosen as one of 12 host cities, the rewards in terms of boosting the local economy and “international prestige” would more than outweigh the £15 million fee.

Council cabinet members have agreed to contribute £250,000 to the national World Cup marketing campaign for the English bid, but only if Birmingham’s request to be a host city is accepted by the footballing authorities.