PLACEnews June 2010 Issue 7
The World Cup comes to Darling Harbour
When football’s world governing body, FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), decided to choose Sydney as one of only six cities outside of South Africa to host an official international FIFA Fan Fest™ for the World Cup, Darling Harbour was an obvious choice.
Not only was FIFA conscious of Darling Harbour’s location on Cockle Bay with the city skyline as its backdrop, it was also aware of its role as a world-class event venue.
As the host of some of Australia’s biggest parties, including the nation’s largest annual event, Australia Day, Darling Harbour has for many years been recognised, both locally and around the world, as a place for celebrations.
Since its formation, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority has played a significant role in the coordination of hundreds of events in Darling Harbour.
As a result, the Authority’s experience, expertise and intimate knowledge of event delivery has proved invaluable to many of the stakeholders and other government agencies involved in the Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest™.
The Sydney International FIFA Fan FestTM will feature three large floating screens on Cockle Bay which will broadcast FIFA World Cup™ matches live.
The event is expected to attract thousands of local and international football fans keen to support their team over the four weeks of the FIFA World Cup™ finals tournament.
But just as important is ensuring it is business as usual for the thousands of people who visit Darling Harbour every day. That includes business owners and their staff; visitors who spend time in the restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and retail outlets; and local workers who walk through the precinct to the city.
It also includes boat owners and business operators who access the marina and wharves, and the 20,000 delegates who will be attending the Lions Convention at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The stage at Sydney Entertainment Centre will also continue to host acts from around the world, and the massive development project at Darling Walk will not miss a beat.
In 2006, when the tournament was held in Germany, the World Cup finals attracted more than 26 billion viewers around the globe. As the Sydney International FIFA Fan FestTM location, Darling Harbour will be broadcast around the world, an incredible opportunity to showcase this fantastic precinct.
