FIFA U-20 World Cup named Ottawa Tourism Event of the Year

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 has been named the Ottawa Tourism Event of the Year. The landmark event and its local (Ottawa) organising committee was recognised on Wednesday 2 April at the Ottawa Tourism Awards. The FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, which was hosted in six cities across Canada, drew a tournament-record 1.2-million fans, was viewed by 469.5-million global television viewers, and generated $259-million in economic impact.



“This is an incredible honour for the Ottawa team responsible for the success of the event,” says Marci Morris, general manager for the Ottawa Local Organising Committee. “The partnership of the local soccer community with the City of Ottawa, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa Tourism, the local business community and TEAM Ottawa Gatineau ensured that by any standard – entertainment, community involvement, legacy, organisation, media exposure, economic impact and numbers of visitors – FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 went beyond huge. In the summer of 2007 in Ottawa, soccer OWNED the city.”



The Ottawa Tourism Awards, which was hosted by presenting partner The Westin Ottawa, celebrated the companies, organisations, events and individuals that contributed to the growth and development of tourism in Ottawa and Canada’s capital region.



“Our six Canadian venues were a real driving force in making the FIFA U-20 World Cup a truly national event,” says Peter Montopoli, Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary and former National Event Director for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. “Our venues have created a legacy for this sport and this nation.”



The FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 won the Event of the Year category ahead of the Canadian Tulip Festival and Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. As one of six tournament venues, Ottawa hosted eight matches from 30 June to 15 July at Frank Clair Stadium on Lansdowne Park. Ottawa alone surpassed 200,000 cumulative spectators, filling its stadium to 95% of capacity (including five sell outs).



Ottawa hosted six group matches (30 June, 3 July and 6 July) as well as one Round of 16 match (12 July) and one quarter-final match (15 July). All eight matches were televised live via the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. The tournament also received full support from local media, in particular official print supporter the Ottawa Sun and official radio supporter CHUM Radio.