– FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 News Release
Vancouver’s Empire Field will have its football (soccer) surface upgraded in the coming weeks ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The historic site features two training fields that will be used by the national teams in June and July, both of which will meet the FIFA Recommended 2 Star requirements for international competition.
Empire Field is located on the former site of Empire Stadium, which opened in 1954 when it hosted the British Empire and Commonwealth Games (where John Landy and Roger Bannister famously ran the “Miracle Mile” in less than four minutes). The site has previously hosted men’s FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers, Olympic Qualifiers, and both the Vancouver Royals and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
“This is terrific for the City of Vancouver as a legacy from this competition in Canada,” said Victor Montagliani, Chair of the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. “We are committed to both providing the best facilities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ as well as ensuring we create sustainable sporting infrastructure that will benefit our communities for years to come.”
“We are thrilled with the news that we will benefit from two world-class surfaces at Empire Field,” said Malcolm Bromley, General Manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. “Beyond the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, these surfaces will provide a wonderful community legacy.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ runs this 6 June to 5 July in six Canadian host cities, with the opening matches to be played on 6 June in Edmonton. The first matches in Vancouver on 8 June will feature Cameroon v Ecuador and Switzerland v reigning world champions Japan.