Birmingham bids to be host city for 2018 World Cup

Birmingham today submitted plans, along with 14 other UK cities, to be a host city for the 2018 Football World Cup, which England is bidding for.

Birmingham is a city with rich sporting heritage. The first ever football league in the world was started in 1888, driven by the originators of Aston Villa FC. Birmingham now boasts two premiership football clubs – Birmingham City and Aston Villa FC. It is Villa Park that can probably lay claim to having the more impressive pedigree, as countless FA Cup semi finals, England internationals and the last European Cup Winner Cup final in 1999. Villa Park was also a host ground during Euro 96.

So you would think that Birmingham has a good chance of being a host city? Serviced City Pads would agree that Birmingham should prevail. Our main concern is the infighting that threatens the English World Cup bid means that England will be beaten by one of the competing countries including Russia, Australia or the USA.

If Birmingham do succeed in becoming one of the English host cities – and they will find that out in December, and then if England wins the bidding process (and that will be announced in 370 days time) then it will deliver a huge boost to the local economy in Birmingham.

Visitor numbers staying in Birmingham will rise dramatically – foreign football supporters following the teams based in Birmingham as well as English visitors to Birmingham who are keen to view what is dubbed as the Largest sporting event on the planet (the Olympic Games may have something to say about that).

Certainly for companies providing accommodation in Birmingham, the World Cup will have a tremendous impact on bookings. This includes hotels in Birmingham as well as many of Birmingham’s serviced apartments which will undoubtedly prove popular with visitors to the city. It is debateable as to which type of accommodation will prove to be more popular, and of course each type of accommodation has it’s positive and negative points – space and value for money offered by the serviced apartments that you will be able to book with Serviced City Pads, or the more formal approach of a hotel in Birmingham city centre.

If you are planning to visit Birmingham, whether to watch a football match, or for an event at the NEC, please check out www.servicedcitypads.com or call us on 0844 335 8866. We will be delighted to help with your accommodation requirements in Birmingham! Good luck with the World Cup bid to Birmingham and England.