"Six World Cup flags were raised Monday at locations stretching from San Jose to San Francisco, marking the official start of the countdown to the first match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara."
""It's a way of life, it's a religion, it's not just entertainment," said Aly Wagner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Bay Area Host Committee member. Wagner said the World Cup played a key role in shaping her love for the sport and emphasized the global significance of the tournament."
""The reality is there is no world event that will match the world cup. There is no event that brings the world together the way a world cup does," she said. The Bay Area Host Committee estimates about 260,000 people will travel to the region for these matches. Officials say the influx is expected to provide a significant boost to small businesses, hotels and restaurants, generating between $480 million and $630 million."
""How many people will fall in love with this beautiful game whether they're at a watch party, whether they're at a bar, whether they're at a free clinic that the Bay Area Host Committee or Bay FC, or the Earthquakes- people are going to fall in love with this game and it's going to unite our community," Osborne said. Organizers are also highlighting options for those without match tickets."
Six World Cup flags were raised across the Bay Area to mark the start of a 30-day countdown to matches at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Aly Wagner described the tournament as a way of life and a global event that brings people together. The Bay Area Host Committee estimates about 260,000 visitors will travel for the matches, boosting small businesses, hotels, and restaurants with an estimated $480 million to $630 million in revenue. Leslie Osborne said the impact will extend beyond economics by helping people fall in love with soccer through watch parties, free clinics, and community events. The San Jose Earthquakes plan a large free viewing party at San Pedro Square Market broadcasting all 104 matches over 39 days.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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