Gelsenkirchen to Stage 2004 World Bowl
THE 2004 NFL Europe League champions will be crowned at one of Europe's most prestigious venues following the announcement that World Bowl XII will be played at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.
World Bowl, which has become one of Europe's most important sporting events, will be played on Saturday June 12 and will reach an estimated worldwide television audience of 200 million, including a live audience in the US on FOX.
The Arena AufSchalke will also host the 2004 UEFA Champions League final and is one of the venues chosen to stage games in soccer's World Cup in Germany in 2006.
JIM CONNELLY, Managing Director of NFL Europe, said: 'We are honoured to be able to present the climax of our season in the magnificent setting of the Arena AufSchalke, one of the finest sporting venues in Europe. World Bowl has a growing tradition as a premier sports and entertainment event and the Arena AufSchalke will provide the perfect setting.
'Our local team, the Rhein Fire, has rightly earned the reputation of staging spectacular events and with the support of the cities of Gelsenkirchen and Düsseldorf and the FC Schalke soccer club I expect World Bowl XII to be a memorable occasion.'
FC Schalke general manager RUDI ASSAUER said: 'We look forward to being able to host the most important football game outside the United States at the Arena AufSchalke.
'This is a magnificent chance to present our wonderful stadium not only to football fans in the USA, but to the whole world. We have the exciting opportunity to highlight our arena and professionalism by hosting the UEFA Champions League Final and the World Bowl within a three-week time span.'
World Bowl XII will be preceded by a week of festivities and events in the Gelsenkirchen and Düsseldorf area.
ALEX LEIBKIND, general manager of the Rhein Fire, said: 'The third time is certainly a charm for the Rhein Fire and we are very proud to host the World Bowl again in 2004. This is a recognition and coronation of the work we have achieved in this region. We can all be very proud of this.'
The Arena AufSchalke will become the ninth venue to stage World Bowl following Wembley Stadium, London (1991); Olympic Stadium, Montreal (1992); Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam (1995); Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1996); Estadi
Olimpic, Barcelona (1997); Waldstadion, Frankfurt (1998, 2000), Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf (1999, 2002); Amsterdam ArenA (2001); and Hampden Park, Glasgow (2003)
For more details contact:
David Tossell
NFL Europe
Tel: 44 20 7225 3070
Fax: 44 20 7376 5070
World Bowl, which has become one of Europe's most important sporting events, will be played on Saturday June 12 and will reach an estimated worldwide television audience of 200 million, including a live audience in the US on FOX.
The Arena AufSchalke will also host the 2004 UEFA Champions League final and is one of the venues chosen to stage games in soccer's World Cup in Germany in 2006.
JIM CONNELLY, Managing Director of NFL Europe, said: 'We are honoured to be able to present the climax of our season in the magnificent setting of the Arena AufSchalke, one of the finest sporting venues in Europe. World Bowl has a growing tradition as a premier sports and entertainment event and the Arena AufSchalke will provide the perfect setting.
'Our local team, the Rhein Fire, has rightly earned the reputation of staging spectacular events and with the support of the cities of Gelsenkirchen and Düsseldorf and the FC Schalke soccer club I expect World Bowl XII to be a memorable occasion.'
FC Schalke general manager RUDI ASSAUER said: 'We look forward to being able to host the most important football game outside the United States at the Arena AufSchalke.
'This is a magnificent chance to present our wonderful stadium not only to football fans in the USA, but to the whole world. We have the exciting opportunity to highlight our arena and professionalism by hosting the UEFA Champions League Final and the World Bowl within a three-week time span.'
World Bowl XII will be preceded by a week of festivities and events in the Gelsenkirchen and Düsseldorf area.
ALEX LEIBKIND, general manager of the Rhein Fire, said: 'The third time is certainly a charm for the Rhein Fire and we are very proud to host the World Bowl again in 2004. This is a recognition and coronation of the work we have achieved in this region. We can all be very proud of this.'
The Arena AufSchalke will become the ninth venue to stage World Bowl following Wembley Stadium, London (1991); Olympic Stadium, Montreal (1992); Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam (1995); Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1996); Estadi
Olimpic, Barcelona (1997); Waldstadion, Frankfurt (1998, 2000), Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf (1999, 2002); Amsterdam ArenA (2001); and Hampden Park, Glasgow (2003)
For more details contact:
David Tossell
NFL Europe
Tel: 44 20 7225 3070
Fax: 44 20 7376 5070