'Fever Pitch' Fan hubs ready to roll out for FIFA U-20 World Cup

Whangarei Primary School students celebrate their entry into the Football in Schools programme with Fifa Under-20 World Cup tournament mascot Wooliam. Photo / Michael Cunning

When the FIFA U-20 World Cup kicks off on 30 May, spectators can be guaranteed to see some of the best young footballing talent on the planet.

Away from the football, the Local Organising Committee is working with Host Cities across the country in guaranteeing a fan experience to match what's happening on the pitch.

Located in all seven host cities will be a fan hub known as 'Fever Pitch'. The Fever Pitch is designed to be an activation space that immerses visitors in the motion, energy and excitement of the tournament.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Dave Beeche said that Fever Pitch is an integral part of making the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 a success.

"Fever Pitch is the home of the tournament in each host city, it will be open every day to people to find out more about the FIFA U-20 World Cup', said Mr Beeche.

"Run by each of the tournament Host Cities, the Fever Pitch will host football demonstrations, performance and music and of course the ability to buy a ticket to the tournament."

"These areas in each city will play an important role in connecting the public with the tournament, and engaging with and informing them about the beautiful game."

Fever Pitches will be located in Whangarei ( Cameron St Mall); Auckland (Queens Wharf and Queen Elizabeth Square); Hamilton (Garden Place); New Plymouth (Puke Ariki Museum); Wellington (Civic Square and Railway Station); Christchurch (Westfield Mall, Riccarton) and Dunedin (The Octagon). They will be open every day from the start of the tournament to the last game in each Host City.

In Auckland, for example, an enclosed football pitch is being created and this space will also host a large FIFA Cube with fantastic football activities and digital engagement.

Tickets to the biggest celebration of global football ever seen in New Zealand are selling fast with many of the best seats now sold, spectators are advised to get in quick if they want to be there when the next football superstar is discovered.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup kicks off on 30 May and runs for three weeks with the final at North Harbour Stadium on 20 June. Twenty four nations from six FIFA confederations have qualified to compete in the 20th edition of the tournament, with Argentina the most successful nation having won the U-20 title on six occasions.