Why Derby?
The World Cup is an undisputed world class event
It would be an international showcase for Derby, improving our profile globally and creating opportunities locally.
Derby is already a vibrant and cosmopolitan City with a fantastic history, which includes the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands within its city centre. It's a city with a bright future.
It is a catalyst for development
Plans are already in place for a huge investment in regeneration and public transport. Derby is also committed to the 2018 bid and the further program of improvements that will ensure we meet the exacting standards set by FIFA for becoming a host city.
Visitors - business and leisure
Derby is the country's most central city making visiting it simple. Fast direct inter-city trains run from all major UK cities. Visitors can also arrive from Paris, Brussels and the wider European rail service with just a simple change of platform at St Pancras International (1 hour 33 minutes from Derby) via Eurostar. East Midlands Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre, from where visitors can arrive from all over the world.
Derby is located within some incredibly beautiful countryside, including the iconic Peak District (Britain's first national park) and the new and growing National Forest, yet its city centre is only 15 minutes from rural heartland.
The economic impact of visitor spend would be significant.
When Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA World CupTM hundreds of businesses benefited from 18.4 million spectators spending more than 20 million euros and creating 50,000 new jobs.
The FIFA World Cup brand as a promotional vehicle for our region
Hosting World Cup games would be fantastic for the visitor and tourist potential of Derby. Derby is ready to welcome the world.
It will bring communities together
Hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in England and specifically in Derby would provide a great focal point for celebrating the city's multi-cultural diversity.
We have a pedigree
The magnificent Pride Park stadium has already seen its share of high profile games which has included a full international match between England & Mexico in May 2001 plus the 2009 Womens FA Cup final with the added bonus of Moor Farm training facilities being amongst the best in the country.
