Phase I Evaluation Report
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UEFA European Football Championship Bidding for Final Tournament 2012 Phase I Evaluation Report CROATIA / HUNGARY 1. GENERAL CONDITIONS Principal motivation and long term strategy Slogan: “TWO for ONE – One for TWELVE!” Croatia and Hungary's main motivation is their genuine passion for football. Organising UEFA EURO 2012 will be an event not just for two countries but for an entire region. Also, this joint bid shows that the two countries are very close to each other. Organising UEFA EURO 2012 will help to boost their economies and improve their general and, especially, their stadia infrastructures. Event experience o Both countries have limited experience in organising major sporting events. (see Annexe A) Public support o The Croatian population is more supportive of the bid than the Hungarian. According to the public opinion poll 83% of the Croatians support the bid comparing to 45.5% of their neighbours. 66.6% of the Croatians would attend a match whereas only 26% Hungarians would do so (see Annexe B). 2. POLITICAL SUPPORT, GUARANTEES AND LEGAL CONDITIONS Political system o Both countries are parliamentary democracies, Hungary being a member of the European Union and Croatia not. The legislations of both countries are currently quite different in structure and in different languages, but because Croatia has been granted the status of Official EU Candidate in 2004, it is already harmonizing its laws with EU legislation at a regular pace. Political support o Both governments support the candidature. o No existing organized opposition to the bid has been reported by the candidate and it is not foreseen that any elections would affect the bid or the organisation of the event. Legal conditions o Customs, immigration, visas and work permits: the legal situation within each country does not raise any insurmountable issues. 1 o Intellectual property, ambush marketing and ticketing: neither the Hungarian nor the Croatian legislations meet the requirements set by UEFA. No drafts of proposed laws have yet been provided, but the candidate states that an intergovernmental committee will be charged of this task and that the necessary laws will be passed in time. o Employment law: no specific difficulties are to be expected. o Volunteers: it must be noted that a custom in Croatia may potentially have an effect on the event’s budget. According to the candidate, it is usual to hire students on an hourly rate contract basis to perform volunteer work. o Tax situation: the fiscal regimes of Hungary and Croatia are currently quite different. Consequently, cooperation between the relevant tax authorities will be the key condition to harmonized fiscal treatment. o Anti-doping laws: the WADA code is in force in both countries. 3. FOOTBALL’S PLACE IN SOCIETY o Relatively low interest in attending national league matches in both countries (see Annexe C). o TV figures (Football events in general + UEFA EURO 2004™): Croatia - In general, football dominates sports broadcasting (football audiences account for 70% of top sports audiences). - UEFA EURO 2004™ produced the highest Television Rating from among the bidding markets (39.3%TVR), 4 of the top 10 sports audiences of the year were for UEFA EURO 2004™ matches. Hungary - In general, football interest is much lower than in Croatia (football audiences only account for 30% of the top sport audiences). - UEFA EURO 2004™: relatively low interest, only 2 of the top 10 sports audiences of the year were for UEFA EURO 2004™ matches. It should be noted, however, that Hungary did not participate in the tournament. 2 4. STADIA AND OTHER MAIN EVENT FACILITIES Net Planned Covered Running City Inhabitants Status Capacity matches seats track Under Zagreb 780,000 55.000 3G/ 1QF/ 1SF 2.8% Yes Construction To be Split 189,000 50.000 3G/ 1QF 100% Yes refurbished Rijeka 144,000 30.000 3G 100% Yes Planned To be Osijek 115,000 30.500 3G 100% Yes refurbished 3G/ 1QF/ 1SF/ To be Budapest 1,870,000 55.000 80% Yes 1F refurbished Székes- Under 103,000 40.000 3G/ 1QF 100% No fehérvár Construction Under Győr 129,000 32.000 3G 75% No Construction Debrecen 207,000 30.000 3G 100% No Planned o Venues: - Eight stadia in eight cities have been identified for the purpose of the event: three stadia are currently under construction, three stadia need to be refurbished and two stadia are in the planning phase. An overall net seating capacity of 1,278,500 spectators has been indicated. - In addition, one “backup” stadium in Budapest, which is in a planning phase, has been mentioned. o Financial guarantees and cost indications: - The financing of all stadia projects has been guaranteed. o Compliance with requirements: - According to the information provided in the bid dossier it can be assumed that the proposed stadia infrastructure could meet UEFA’s requirements. However, no precise information on the building projects has been provided. In addition, some information provided leads to indications that some external space requirements will be difficult to meet in the current state of the stadia (e.g. space for parking, OB van area etc.). o Spectator comfort: - 2,8% of covered seats in the stadium of Zagreb. - 5 stadia with running tracks. 3 OTHER MAIN EVENT FACILITIES o Draw facilities: Two options have been proposed: a) Palace of Arts, Budapest b) Concert Hall Vatroslaw Lisinski, Zagreb Indications on available sizes and infrastructure comply with UEFA requirements. o IBC /MMC Two options have been proposed: a) Papp Lázlo Budapest Sport Arena, Budapest b) Syma Event Center, Budapest Indications on available sizes and infrastructure do not fully comply with UEFA requirements at the moment. 5. ACCOMMODATION Hotel capacity (see Annexe D) o Both countries are experienced in the tourism sector. However, with regard to 4 and 5 star hotels, the capacity does not satisfy UEFA needs, even taking into consideration hotels that will be built until 2012. Croatia - Zagreb and Split, planning to host important matches (Opening, Quarter- finals, Semi-final) could face difficulties in accommodating all guests. Osijek has not enough high-class room capacity. Rijeka appears to be the only city in Croatia able to host a large amount of guests, mainly due to its leisure structure. Hungary - Budapest is a top destination, with a very large hotel capacity and a recognized level of service. Székesfehérvár has hardly any hotel capacity, however due to its proximity to Budapest a solution could be found. Debrecen and Gyor have not enough hotel capacity in order to satisfy UEFA needs. Rates o In terms of rates, both countries are providing very competitive rates. 4 Team hotels and training centers o The number of proposed team hotels nearly complies with UEFA requirements. However, the number of high quality hotels does not appear sufficient. In addition, it does not seem appropriate to propose team hotels in Dubrovnik, far away from all other venues. o The number and quality of proposed training centres complies with UEFA requirements. Facilities for UEFA needs o The hotel proposals for UEFA Headquarters, the referees and the doping doctors are appropriate. Tourism management o Both countries have a governmental agency acting as an authority. However, no precise information was shared regarding their real influence in the market. No guarantee of fixed rates was proposed. 6. DISTANCES AND TRANSPORT Distances (see Annexe E) o The longest ground distance is between Debrecen and Split (950 km), the shortest between Budapest and Székesfehérvâr (69km). o An approximate average distance of 400 km has been calculated (not considering Split, the average distance is reduced to 320 km). Flight connections o Of 28 possible itineraries, 6 itineraries offer direct flights; no other indications have been given. However, it is proposed to arrange for special charter connections, if necessary. Ground transport o Travel is rather time-consuming, even though the distances are not extremely long: - Train: For 28 possible itineraries an average of 8 hours has been calculated. - Car: For 28 possible itineraries an average of 5 hours has been calculated. 5 7. SAFETY AND SECURITY Government / Organisational structure o Bi-national co-operation foreseen. Various departments involved. Police plays central role in both countries. o Specific set up for UEFA EURO 2012 foreseen. Legislation in place o Football related legislation in place is limited. Legislation regarding safety management (inspections, licensing procedures, etc) could be improved. Security concept / Risk analysis o The strategic approach and the global concept addressing the challenges of both countries are clear and comprehensive. The basic principles of the concept are correct. The main focus of the concept is to maintain the festive character of the event. Organisational set-up o Very clear concept regarding stewarding in the stadium (this approach will ensure a legacy to both countries). o The approach how to train security forces, to organise international cooperation of the police and to exchange expertise is very good. 6 GREECE 1. GENERAL CONDITIONS Principal motivation and long term strategy There are two key slogans summarizing the main motivation and strategy: a. “What the Olympics did for the city of Athens, the UEFA EURO 2012 can do for the entire country of Greece”. Hosting UEFA EURO 2012 would give a great impulse to boost the economy and improve the general infrastructure (transportation, accommodation, sporting facilities) not only in Athens but in the whole country. b. “If you build it, they will come”. The Greek FA believes that once a new stadia infrastructure has been put in place, the interest of the population to attend more matches will arise. An improvement in attendance after the Olympic Games was already noticed, especially with more women and children attending the games. Event experience o Greece has experience in organising major sporting events (especially the Olympic Games in 2004).