FIFA World Cup in Berlin - GermanyÂ’s biggest party

It will be the top event of the year: On June 9th, 2006 the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ will begin. And naturally, Berlin, the capital city, plays a major part during this gigantic spectacle. That’s why the Olympic Stadium was renovated and modernized over the last four years. The total costs of these measures amount to 240 million Euros. Now the multi-purpose stadium has seats for 75,000 spectators. Six FIFA World Cup games will be played on at the Olympic Stadium. July 9th, 2006 in particular will be recorded in Berlin’s history books: the day of the World Cup Final. Should the German National Team actually win the title of World Champion in their own country, it will happen in Berlin. Of course, outside the stadium soccer will be the center of attention, as well. (see World Cup Special).

On July 1st for example, the first street soccer World Cup will begin in Kreuzberg. 24 teams from five continents will compete for street soccer crown during the final week of the FIFA World Cup, accompanied by a colorful festival. And on the squares and in the pubs of Berlin countless fans will celebrate soccer parties. The literally longest FIFA World Cup fan festival in Germany takes place June 7th through July 9th on the “Straße des 17. Juni” between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. This fan festival covers some 77,000 square meters – the size of 12 soccer fields – and therefore is Germany’s biggest soccer arena. 234 square meters of video screens are positioned at four points, 60 square meters alone right above the stage by the Brandenburg Gate. “All Berlin citizens, as well as our guests from all over Germany and the world, are invited to this peaceful fan festival in the heart of Berlin. On all days of the international tournament, there are many great offers for fans without tickets. All 64 games and every single goal live on the big screens, complimented by a diversified support program,” said Berlin mayor, Klaus Wowereit, at the Fan Festival presentation. The fan festival begins with a joint brunch at 11 am every day, a great opportunity to discuss the games of the previous day. At 3 pm the games begin. During the first round, up to three games will be broadcast every day, making soccer the focus point of the fan festival. When the last game ends at 11 pm the party continues: the fans can talk about the games, celebrate victories or cope with losses, when the area is turned into Berlin’s biggest dancefloor. Top DJs are in charge of the music and at midnight a laser show always marks the beginning of the new day.

The fan festival does not even take a break on the six game-free days. A colorful program entertains the fans: A classical concert, organized by the DFB cultural foundation and featuring the German Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Ingo Metzmacher on Sunday, July 2nd being the highlight. The “One World Day,” organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and media partner rs2’s special events are further attractive program elements. There is even an event for motor sport fans. In cooperation with private TV station RTL that has purchased the right to broadcast the World Cup games on two “Super-Sundays,” June 11th and 25th, there will be sports on the double: Schumacher fans will be able to combine Formula 1 and soccer as both will be broadcast live on big screens at the Brandenburg Gate. In addition to soccer, the fan festival offers plenty of spare time activites. There will be a sports course with soccer field and beach volleyball court, a giant goal wall and more attractions all along the “Straße des 17. Juni.” In a special area, 800 tons of sand will be set aside for “World of Football and Sand.” There, artists will create sand sculptures, inviting the fans to stay for a while, relax, and participate in the project.

Another place dedicated to soccer, will be the fan festival at the “Waldbühne” (forest stage). Starting June 9th, DEAG Sports and PREMIERE will broadcast all games taking place at the neighboring Olympic Stadium on a 100 square meter LED screen, all games with German participation, plus the two semi-finals. The mood will match the one inside the stadium, but out here the fans are guaranteed a seat and perfect view of the screen from every seat. Artists from the home countries of the participating nations will prepare the audience for the games. For more information go to www.fussballfest.de

At the Sony-Center all games will be broadcast live, as well. In the center of the forum, zhe ZDFarena will be erected, that is the main World Cup studio of the ZDF (2nd German state TV channel). All ZDF soccer reports will be produced there – altogether some 90 hours of live program from the ZDFarena alone. Johannes B. Kerner and the two ZDF experts, Jürgen Klopp and Urs Meier are scheduled to great 10,000 spectators there every day. All 56 FIFA World Cup games broadcast via free TV will be shown on six large screens, covering 100 square meters in total, at the ZDFarena. For more information go to www.sonycenter.de

For information on other events that take place in Berlin during the FIFA World Cup, e.g. a list of sports bars and beer gardens offering live broadcasts of the games, check out our World Cup Special.

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