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Hosting World Cup soccer matches in 2018 or 2022 would cost the city of Charlotte about $8 million, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
The United States is trying to host soccer's premier tournament, and Charlotte is one of 27 cities being considered by the U.S. Bid Committee. The committee will select between 12 and 18 cities as finalists in December, and then submit a formal bid to soccer's international governing body, FIFA.
FIFA will announce the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010. The U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994.
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority estimates include $4 million to rent Bank of America Stadium, where the matches would be played. The tournament would also cost the city $3.09 million for increased police services, garbage pick up, traffic management and free transit rides for people with soccer tickets.
Training sites at UNC Charlotte and Davidson would cost $400,000.
Council member Michael Barnes is against moving forward with the bid, noting that FIFA had a number of requirements he believed could place too much of a burden on the city.
“The word ‘shall' appears in this document frequently,” Barnes said.
City Manager Curt Walton has also said he is concerned about costs to taxpayers should Charlotte become a host city.
FIFA requires host cities to hold a street fan festival for the matches, but the city believes it can offset those costs from revenue from the event.
Tim Newman of the CRVA said the economic benefits from the early-round matches – as well as the exposure – outweigh the costs. He also said the CRVA could raise money to cover some or all of the costs.
“We know what the Final Four did for Charlotte,” said Newman, referring to the 1994 Final Four at the old Charlotte Coliseum.
Newman said the city can move forward with its bid, and back out if it's concerned about the cost.
Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess said she supports the bid: “I'm an Arsenal fan. I hope we can make this happen.”
