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Leipzig is preparing to host one of the biggest football parties in history. From 9 June until 9 July, more than 300,000 locals and visitors from around the world are expected to flock to the Augustusplatz in the heart of the city for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ FAN FEST.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FEST is open to all and will be the central meeting point for visitors from around the world. Football supporters will be able to enjoy live coverage of 56 FIFA World Cup games (eight of the 64 matches will be played simultaneously) on a giant screen and also take in an extensive programme of events featuring sport, culture and cuisine.

Place:Augustusplatz
Dates:9 June – 9 July
Opening hours:Weekdays 1pm – 11pm, weekends 11am – 11pm
Number of giant screens:1 (60m2)
Capacity:20,000 people

"For host city Leipzig, the Fan Fest will be a major event. It is another opportunity to show the world we are a hospitable, cosmopolitan and effervescent city. We will truly embrace the official slogan ‘A time to make friends’. The whole city of Leipzig will be gripped by World Cup fever. The Fan Fest will be the second only to the Zentralstadion in terms of importance," said Christoph Hansel, head of the FIFA World Cup Office for the City of Leipzig.

The entire venue will be divided into two parts, the Official Public Viewing Area and the Fan Area. The former, which will be the main section, will boast a giant screen at the Opera entrance and go as far as the Mendebrunnen fountain in front of the Gewandhaus (or vestment hall) and the stage at the Georgiring. The Fan Area will be split into different sections: merchandising and exhibits, food, activities and leisure. The activities area will offer a fantastic range of games, entertainment and a children’s play area and will be located on the green between the Gewandhaus and Moritzbastei. The leisure area is at the rear of the Opera House near the Schwanenteich (swan lake) where you will find everything you need to take time out and unwind.

The central location of the 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FEST makes Leipzig unique among the 12 host cities. Only a few hundred metres separate the Augustusplatz from the Central Station, while the Leipzig Zentralstadion is only three kilometres away, so that too is well within walking distance. Access to the Fan Fest is from Central Station, Grimmaische Strasse, the main Post Office and Moritzbastei, with the entrances marked by information points.

Speaking of the Fan Fest project, Franz Beckenbauer, President of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, said: "Thirty-two years after Germany hosted its first World Cup finals in 1974, football’s greatest tournament will this time be held in a unified Germany at the heart of a vastly different Europe. Our main aim is to make the 2006 FIFA World Cup the biggest meeting place in the world. An essential part of football’s greatest gathering will be the official 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FEST which will be held in the 12 host cities. They are organised as a joint venture by the host cities, the OC, FIFA and Infront. These public viewing events in these great open squares should be more than just a consolation for all those without tickets. The 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FESTS will be the second most important venues after the stadiums and will bring all the excitement from the stadium to the city centres."

Fan Fest in Leipzig - Augustusplatz in Google Map

The name of Munich’s Olympiapark is already enshrined in football folklore as the venue at which West Germany won their second FIFA World Cup™ on 7 July 1974. Now, some 32 years on, the Olympiapark is set to play a leading role as the FIFA World Cup returns to Germany and, fittingly, that role will be to link the old and the new, 1974 and 2006, the old Olympiastadion and the new FIFA World Cup Stadium Munich. Visitors and locals alike will be delighted to learn that it is to be the focal point of an enormous football party, as the venue of the city’s FAN FEST programme and official public viewings. The Olympiapark will be the hub for all FIFA World Cup-based activities and thus the number one meeting point for fans.

Place:Olympiapark/Olympia Lake
Dates:6 June – 9 July
Opening hours:1pm until 30 minutes after the end of the day’s final match. On non match-days, from 1pm – 11pm
Number of giant screens:1 (60m2)
Capacity:40,000 people

Read about the 12 Host Cities

Main stage on the lake

No less than 56 FIFA World Cup matches will be broadcast live on a 60m2 screen along with link-ups from other FIFA World Cup venues. A perfect view is guaranteed as the big screen will be erected on pontoons along with an entertainment stage in the middle of the Olympia Lake. In order for all the entertainment, and in particular the stage shows, to be seen and enjoyed up close by all fans, there has been some building work done around the lake.

Wide-ranging programme

The FAN FEST culture and music programme will be launched on 6 June at 8.30pm with an open-air classical concert in the Olympiastadion. The concert, titled ‘Three Orchestras and Stars’, has been organised by the German federal government in conjunction with the City of Munich and the Bavarian State Chancelry as part of the government’s art and cultural programme for the tournament, and is supported by FIFA and by the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

A few hours before this concert in the Olympiastadion, the musical entertainment programme will get under way on the Olympia Lake main stage, where German and international artists will be performing live on a near daily basis. A wide variety of entertaining stage shows have also been planned.

Completing the entertainment programme will be a host of events and exhibitions, including a special adidas sport and leisure section, where many 2006 FIFA World Cup items will also be on sale. Something for the younger guests

Even the youngest football fans will find plenty to keep them amused at the FAN FEST. After all, the Olympiapark is set to host an ‘Intercultural FIFA World Cup Exchange’ organised by the City of Munich’s youth committee and the Munich Association for Youth Sports. Children aged between three and 13 will also find all sorts of free games, as well as creative and interactive applications, and the festival has been designed to ensure disabled children find it easy to participate and enjoy the fun.

Needless to say, the FAN FEST will also have a wide variety of international food and drink on offer.

Fan Fest in Munich - Olympiapark in Google Map

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, host city Stuttgart will be inviting fans from around the world to join in the party in the city centre.
The official 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FEST will be held in the city’s most picturesque square, where the people of the 173 nationalities which make up Stuttgart’s population will reserve a warm welcome for all football fans. The entertainment programme will also see local artists rubbing shoulders with international stars.

Place:Schlossplatz
Dates:9 June – 9 July
Opening hours:11am – 1am
Number of giant screens:3
Capacity:40,000 people

Read about the Host Cities

As the FIFA World Cup opens, the party will be getting into full swing in Stuttgart’s charming city centre, and fans who were unable to get tickets need not miss a minute of the action. There will be international football parties every day, organised around the match calendar of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with a packed entertainment programme on the stage in front of the city’s New Castle. As the slogan of the tournament says, it should be ‘A time to make friends’ and this will be the place to do just that. Anything up to 70,000 visitors can congregate here every day from 11am to 1am, and Stuttgart will try to ensure that each and every one of them enjoys the experience of a lifetime.

Wine village and activity area

Stuttgart’s love for football is almost matched by its passion for wine, and an old-fashioned-style wine village on the Schillerplatz between the Stiftskirche church and the Old Castle will ensure that visitors to the city can sample some of region’s finest tipples. More active fans will prefer the Fan Arena in the Market Square, while the hungry ones should head for the Schlossplatz, where they will be able to take their pick from a wide range of international foods.

The Market Square will also be the centre for Stuttgart’s activities in preparation for their status as European Capital of Sport 2007, and will give people the opportunity to play rather than merely watch. There will be football targets, street soccer and speed-ball, while in the climbing park fans can get together to compete at various sports and, most importantly, enjoy themselves. It will be a “party of nations” every day – an international football festival based around the match calendar and the countries who are playing in Stuttgart.

Sir Bob Geldof in concert

While Munich and Leipzig will be busy with the opening Round of 16 matches on 24 June, Stuttgart will have its very own highlight with a concert by Sir Bob Geldof at the Schlossplatz.

Geldof will perform on the Saturday evening at around 10.45pm, after the second Round of 16 match which will of course be shown on the big screen. Having an international music star of this magnitude is quite a coup for Stuttgart on the night before their own Round of 16 match on Sunday 25 June at 5pm, the winners of Group B (England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago or Sweden) will meet the runner-up from Group A (Germany, Costa Rica, Poland or Ecuador).

Bob Geldof, who was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, first came to prominence with his band The Boomtown Rats. After seeing a television programme about the plight of the starving millions in Ethiopia, he decided to do something about it, and formed “Band Aid”. Thanks to the galaxy of stars whom Geldof persuaded to take part, and the worldwide success of the song “Do they know it’s Christmas?”, around eight million pounds were raised in record time. On 13 July 1985, the first Live Aid concert was held, which raised 120 million dollars for global famine relief. A second concert was held on 2 July 2006, with thousands of stars performing in eight different countries. Sir Bob Geldof has received many honours throughout his career, including an honorary Golden Camera (German film) award in 2005. Earlier this year, he was recognised for his work and his lifelong commitment to the Third World with an honorary Echo (German music) award.

The full programme:
- 09 June, 11pm, The Supremes
- 10 June, 11pm, Die Prinzen
- 13 June, 11pm, Fresh & Cool
- 16 June, 11pm, Hermes House Band
- 17 June, 11pm, Fools Garden
- 23 June, 11pm, DJ Bobo
- 30 June, 11pm, Sasha
- 1 July, 11pm, Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
- 5 July, 7pm, Spider Murphy Gang

Fan Fest in Stuttgart - Schlossplatz in Google Maps

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, host city Stuttgart will be inviting fans from around the world to join in the party in the city centre.
The official 2006 FIFA World Cup FAN FEST will be held in the city’s most picturesque square, where the people of the 173 nationalities which make up Stuttgart’s population will reserve a warm welcome for all football fans. The entertainment programme will also see local artists rubbing shoulders with international stars.

Place:Schlossplatz
Dates:9 June – 9 July
Opening hours:11am – 1am
Number of giant screens:3
Capacity:40,000 people

Read about the Host Cities

As the FIFA World Cup opens, the party will be getting into full swing in Stuttgart’s charming city centre, and fans who were unable to get tickets need not miss a minute of the action. There will be international football parties every day, organised around the match calendar of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with a packed entertainment programme on the stage in front of the city’s New Castle. As the slogan of the tournament says, it should be ‘A time to make friends’ and this will be the place to do just that. Anything up to 70,000 visitors can congregate here every day from 11am to 1am, and Stuttgart will try to ensure that each and every one of them enjoys the experience of a lifetime.

Wine village and activity area

Stuttgart’s love for football is almost matched by its passion for wine, and an old-fashioned-style wine village on the Schillerplatz between the Stiftskirche church and the Old Castle will ensure that visitors to the city can sample some of region’s finest tipples. More active fans will prefer the Fan Arena in the Market Square, while the hungry ones should head for the Schlossplatz, where they will be able to take their pick from a wide range of international foods.

The Market Square will also be the centre for Stuttgart’s activities in preparation for their status as European Capital of Sport 2007, and will give people the opportunity to play rather than merely watch. There will be football targets, street soccer and speed-ball, while in the climbing park fans can get together to compete at various sports and, most importantly, enjoy themselves. It will be a “party of nations” every day – an international football festival based around the match calendar and the countries who are playing in Stuttgart.

Sir Bob Geldof in concert

While Munich and Leipzig will be busy with the opening Round of 16 matches on 24 June, Stuttgart will have its very own highlight with a concert by Sir Bob Geldof at the Schlossplatz.

Geldof will perform on the Saturday evening at around 10.45pm, after the second Round of 16 match which will of course be shown on the big screen. Having an international music star of this magnitude is quite a coup for Stuttgart on the night before their own Round of 16 match on Sunday 25 June at 5pm, the winners of Group B (England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago or Sweden) will meet the runner-up from Group A (Germany, Costa Rica, Poland or Ecuador).

Bob Geldof, who was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, first came to prominence with his band The Boomtown Rats. After seeing a television programme about the plight of the starving millions in Ethiopia, he decided to do something about it, and formed “Band Aid”. Thanks to the galaxy of stars whom Geldof persuaded to take part, and the worldwide success of the song “Do they know it’s Christmas?”, around eight million pounds were raised in record time. On 13 July 1985, the first Live Aid concert was held, which raised 120 million dollars for global famine relief. A second concert was held on 2 July 2006, with thousands of stars performing in eight different countries. Sir Bob Geldof has received many honours throughout his career, including an honorary Golden Camera (German film) award in 2005. Earlier this year, he was recognised for his work and his lifelong commitment to the Third World with an honorary Echo (German music) award.

The full programme:
- 09 June, 11pm, The Supremes
- 10 June, 11pm, Die Prinzen
- 13 June, 11pm, Fresh & Cool
- 16 June, 11pm, Hermes House Band
- 17 June, 11pm, Fools Garden
- 23 June, 11pm, DJ Bobo
- 30 June, 11pm, Sasha
- 1 July, 11pm, Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
- 5 July, 7pm, Spider Murphy Gang

Fan Fest in Stuttgart - Schlossplatz in Google Maps

For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup™, there will be organised public viewings with live broadcasts of FIFA World Cup matches on giant screens. At a central point in all twelve of the host cities, locals and fans from all around the world will be able to get together to watch all the matches.

Place: Volksfestplatz
Dates:9 June – 9 July
Opening hours:2pm – 11.30pm
Number of giant screens:1 (60m2)
Capacity:40,000 people

In the shadow of the Frankenstadion, the FAN FEST will serve as Nuremberg’s preferred meeting point for locals and visitors alike. The city authorities are preparing to lay on a wide-ranging entertainment programme with a dash of local flair to accompany the live transmissions, making Nuremberg a great place to follow the FIFA World Cup.

Mini-pitches and spa areas

Sporting activities such as mini-pitches, shooting speed recorders and target games will prompt young and old to challenge each other to competitions of strength and prowess. A Children’s World facility will cater to junior explorers, while a spa area boasting a massage service, beach loungers and a cocktail bar is specifically tailored to women. The centrepiece of the FAN FEST 2006 FIFA World Cup™ site will be an information village featuring a fan embassy and visitor centre.

There will also be a diverse range of international cuisine available, although the crowning glory will be a typical local beer tent and a wine festival. Official merchandise and information will also be readily accessible at a venue which will surely offer something for all the family. The event runs from 9 June to 9 July and admission is free. Organisers are expecting some 600,000 visitors.

Across Germany, public viewing events are set to attract considerably more fans than the total attendances at the FIFA World Cup stadiums. Organising Committee President Franz Beckenbauer has spoken of a parallel FIFA World Cup taking place in city centres where hundreds of thousands will display their passion for football at the FAN FEST 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Nuremberg Fan Fest Volksfestplatz in Google Maps.

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