Hamilton to bid for FIFA Under 20 World Cup matches

Hamilton will make a bid for the city to host international football matches during the 2015 FIFA Under 20 World Cup.

Today’s decision by Hamilton City Council follows strong commitment of financial and in-kind support from Hamilton and Waikato’s business and sporting communities.

The business and football communities have committed to funding half the $809,000 cost of hosting up to eight matches, including a quarter-final, at Waikato Stadium as part of a Category 3 bid.

The bid proposal to New Zealand Football will include clauses to ensure further costs are not added subsequent to the bid being accepted. If successful with its bid, Council will seek confirmation of funding from the community partners before signing contracts with FIFA.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says the decision will not impact on ratepayers, and Council’s share of funding the event will come from existing economic development budgets and be spread over three years.

“The decision today is about a new way of delivering significant projects to the city – a partnership between the community and Council. This is the way it should be and I want to thank the business community for both taking up my challenge and coming forward to support this project, both financially and in-kind,” Ms Hardaker says.

Ms Hardaker says although the city faces major financial constraints, Hamilton must continue to deliver to its community and invest in the city.

“We are putting in place a 10-Year Plan that is financially prudent and still enables us to deliver good outcomes for the city.”