World Cup 2018: Pride Park Stadium, Derby
Pride Park is likely to be a strong contender to host games in the World Cup should England’s bid be successful. The stadium was first opened in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth II ahead of a friendly with Italian side Sampdoria.
Pride Park has hosted three England under-21 matches aswell as a full international against Mexico on May 27th 2001. That match boasted the stadiums highest attendance with 33,597 spectators. Plans were unveiled in April 2007 by then Chairman Peter Gadsby to increase the capacity to 44,000. However the proposal was set to depend on Derby’s survival in the Premier League in 2007/08.
Derby 2018 Stadia Venue?
American group ‘General Sports and Entertainment’ purchased Derby County FC in January 2008 and are setting out plans to develop Derby County into a global brand. Local rivals Nottingham Forest could provide a stumbling block to Pride Park hosting World Cup matches having announced plans to leave their home of more than 100 years, the City Ground and move to a 40-50,000 purpose built stadium in the south of the city.
Bid Information
May 3, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
Alex said:
What would tourists do in Derby? Nottingham’s a much better option, especially because of the club’s history. It’d honour the club to stage a World Cup game in their home city.