—- The city of Kaliningrad is on course to become one of key outposts for international and Russian fans at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia after winning a prestigious Sport and Russia 2015 award today for its organisation of an International Fan Festival during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Last summer, Kaliningrad – the western-most city of Russia 2018’s 11 official Host Cities – welcomed 34,000 people (7.9% of the total population of Kaliningrad) to its International Fan Festival during Brazil 2014. Organising the month-long football extravaganza involved over 200 people working for a total of 90 days with a budget of 13.7 million rubles. The International Fan Festival displayed matches at Brazil 2014 on a showpiece 60m sq. screen, with audiences peaking around matches featuring the Russian national team.

Whilst football was the main attraction, guests could also entertain themselves in the family area or in the VIP Hospitality area. Festival venue was accessible to all fans, including fans with restricted mobility. There were no incidents registered throughout the festival, which shows high level of security and attractiveness of event for families.

Deputy Chairman of Kaliningrad Regional Government, Alexander Rolbinov, said: “This award recognises Kaliningrad as the best city for sports fans in Russia. I hope this will lead to sports fans from all over the world coming to our city to enjoy the sport events we host here and the region as a whole. We are a European city with a Russian soul and we would like to share this with the rest of the world.

The International Fan Festival was a great event and has set the standard for future events that we host. Our main focus now is on being a first-class Host City for players, fans, media and the Football Family at Russia 2018.”

Sport and Russia is an annual forum and awards ceremony aimed at promoting commercial investment in sport and developing people’s interest in leading a healthy lifestyle.

The awards recognize best practice initiatives in the sports industry in order to highlight how businesses can benefit from getting involved with sports properties.

The event has the backing of the Government and State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Department of Physical Education and Sport.

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Notes to editors

For more information on Sport and Russia, please go to: www.sportsrussia.org

For more information on Kaliningrad, please go to: http://kgd2018.ru/en/