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Leipzig welcomes fans for the World Cup 2006
By Richard Vert
12 German cities will be showcasing themselves to the world this summer as the host cities to the FIFA World Cup 2006. For the cities themselves it means a share in an anticipated influx of some 3-4 million fans from around the world and, for some of those cities, an unrivalled commercial opportunity. The world may be well aware of cities such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg all of whom have carved a cultural and tourism niche for themselves on the world stage, but for others the six years of preparation will be put to the test this summer.
Germany has put an unprecedented level of investment into its' host cities to improve the infrastructure and amenities to meet the standards expected of a World Cup host city. Many of Germany's cities, such as Dortmund and Dusseldorf have been subject to a prolonged investment period to invoke a change within what were traditionally industrial cities. But nowhere is this change more apparent than Leipzig, the only formerly East German city to host the World cup in 2006.
Since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1990, Leipzig has undergone the most extreme of makeovers and as the World Cup approaches the transformation in the city is there for all to see. Complete with a brand new stadium, the Leipzig Central Stadium which will play host to 5 matches this summer including a quarter final.
A pleasant, compact city, Leipzig will warmly welcome the influx of World Cup fans that are set to swell the 500,000 inhabitants this June. The city has much to offer the short term visitor with a range of historic buildings and features as well as the modern cultural additions that have come along in recent years as part of Leipzig's regeneration. The city has an abundance of accommodation option, although these will be strained in June when the group matches commence in the city. Some of the major European resellers may well have some availability in the city and the area authority site contains up to date information and tips for visiting fans.
Leipzig is the furthest east of the host cities and appears to be quite detached from the other hosts. Although the city is well served by a regional airport featuring domestic flights to most other host cities, international flights require a change in a larger airport like Frankfurt. Leipzig is also an integral part of the autobahn system that courses through Germany, making driving to the other venues from Leipzig to follow your teams fortunes possibly the best option as the regional transport network is expected to be strained and most of the major car hire firms have a presence in Leipzig.
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