Every four years the world stops to watch one game loved by all, the FIFA World Cup. Started as a tradition in 1930 pitting the best football clubs in the world against one another, the World Cup has grown to be the most watched sporting event in the world. Billions of people gather around their television sets to watch their favorite team compete for the most coveted trophy in sport, the Jules Rimet Cup. This event attracts millions of visitors to the host city, providing a great opportunity to showcase the local flavor and culture of that particular city.
Originally alternating between Europe and the America's, FIFA World Cup host cities were expanded to Korea and Japan as co-host cities in 2002. This year's Cup is being held in South Africa, making it the first World Cup to be held on African soil. The Cup kicks off on June 11 and continues until July 11 when a champion is crowned. Being a host city is a very prestigious accolade to add to a cities history, much like being an Olympic host city. Each host city expects an average of 3 million people to visit their city to watch up to 64 matches.
The host city is announced about 8 years prior to the matches, which allows each city time to prepare for the matches as well as the visitors that come with the World Cup. The host city is given the opportunity to show off its unique culture and everything the city has to offer. Preparations include opening of new hotels, restaurants, and stadiums as well as other cultural mainstays designed to keep millions of fans entertained when they are not rooting their home country on. Attending a match is an experience unlike no other as the best of the city's culture and flavor is brought out during the month long event and is sure to be an experience to last a life time.
Find a cheap flight to South Africa and experience history!
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