Coca-Cola to bring FIFA World Cup Trophy to the U.S.

World soccer’s greatest prize will spread excitement in Houston on May 2nd, 2010 when the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola takes an unprecedented journey around the world in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM).

The Coca-Cola Company and FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, recently announced details of the route which will span 86 countries during the 225-day tour and allow thousands of fans around the globe to see the real solid-gold trophy in person.

The Trophy Tour, which will begin its journey from the FIFA Headquarters on September 21, 2009, will travel around the world before arriving in the host country of South Africa on May 4, 2010. The total distance the tour will travel is 134,017 kilometers (83,274 miles) or more than three times the circumference of Earth. The Tour was developed through an exclusive partnership between FIFA and Coca-Cola, a FIFA Partner and one of the organization’s longest-standing corporate partners.

During the Trophy Tour, fans will be given the chance to enjoy a rare close-up view of the authentic FIFA World Cup Trophy. Free tickets to the 2009/10 Trophy Tour will be made available to consumers via Coca-Cola promotions in countries on the route. At events in each city, fans will have the opportunity to have a souvenir photo taken of themselves with the trophy, view a special 3-D movie showcasing memorable moments of the FIFA World Cup, participate in interactive displays and enjoy other entertainment. Countries and dates of the route are subject to change.

“Fans will have the opportunity to personally experience part of football’s biggest event when we bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola back to the U.S.,” said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “Due to the growth of the Hispanic population and the popularity of soccer in the U.S., the 2010 FIFA World Cup provides Coca-Cola with a unique opportunity to connect with the new multicultural America, from Hispanic males to Soccer moms. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is the beginning of a very exciting 2010 FIFA World cup U.S. program.”

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Coca-Cola again to stage the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour,” said Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General. “This year’s tour will excite and inspire even more fans by allowing them to get closer to the greatest prize in world football.”

The 2009/10 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour draws on the huge success of the first global Trophy Tour held in 2006. In 2006, the tour visited 31 cities in 29 countries, covering 102,570 kilometers (63,734 miles) with millions of fans around the world enjoying the chance to have a closer look at football’s most famous prize.

The authentic, FIFA World Cup is awarded to the winning nation at each tournament. The iconic trophy measures 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, weighs in at 6,175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold. The winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite, whiles the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a formal association with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) since 1974 and an official sponsorship of FIFA World Cup that began in 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels, from grassroots to the FIFA World Cup(TM).

Coca-Cola North America’s 2009-2010 FIFA World Cup program will offer consumers the opportunity to experience the World Cup up close and personal. From in-store activations and special packaging to the Trophy Tour and all the way to South Africa, Coca-Cola will play an essential role in helping fans enjoy the excitement of the World Cup. The Coca-Cola World Cup program is designed to provide occasions for fans to celebrate and refresh themselves after every goal and every victory.