Sunday's World Cup final is 'all about Nashville'

As part of supporting Nashville’s bid to host World Cup games in either 2018 or 2022, the Convention and Visitors Bureau is showing the World Cup final at LP Field.

Admission to the event is free and concessions will be discounted. Festivities begin 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

The contest between Spain and the Netherlands kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

“We are trying to demonstrate that there is broad support for bringing the World Cup to the U.S. and in particular that Nashville is large enough and supportive enough to be one of the host cities,” Convention and Visitors Bureau president Butch Spyridon said. “At the end of the day this is all about Nashville.”

Nashville is currently one of 18 cities that is part of USA Soccer’s bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. Nashville’s World Cup matches would be played at LP Field.

If FIFA selects the United States, the number of host cities would need to be cut. The 1994 World Cup in the US had nine host sites.

Nashville is soliciting support through an online petition [1].

“There are still some people that are saying Nashville doesn’t have a chance,” Spyridon said. “My answer to that is that ‘the Oilers aren’t coming to Nashville.’ I heard it 10 years ago.”

Sunday’s local event will feature live music and a kid’s zone. The first 1000 people to arrive get a voucher for a free Nashville Sounds ticket. Fans can also register to win a suite for the Titans’ preseason game against New Orleans. There will be other giveaways before the match.

The game will be screened on the large video boards at the north and south ends of the venue.