WINNIPEG - May 4, 2012 - Today at an announcement in Ottawa, Winnipeg was selected, along with five other Canadian cities, as host for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup soccer event. Winnipeg will join Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton as host cities for the event, which is recognized as the world's most important and largest international women's sporting competition. Twenty-four international teams will compete in 52 matches over a 23 day period in June, 2015. Each selected city will host four teams.
"We're excited to welcome the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to Winnipeg," said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. "Soccer is very popular in Winnipeg and the high calibre of World Cup play will be an inspiration to the more than 9,000 young league players in our city."
Canada was awarded the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in March, 2011 and potential host cities have been inspected by FIFA site inspectors. Winnipeg's bid was successful and potential sites for accommodation, special events and training are being identified by FIFA officials.
The FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer event is held every four years and the 2015 event is expected to attract over one million spectators across Canada, and more than 15 million viewers on television. Soccer is the number one participation sport in Canada and the World Cup event is expected to help build interest and excitement around youth soccer participation.
For more information on the city of Winnipeg, visit: winnipeg.ca