Leicester City Council (LCC) is considering submitting a bid to be included as a host city at the 2018 World Cup – if England secures the right to host the event.
Councillors will meet today (23 November) to discuss the bid, which is expected to cost £15.3m in order to fulfil FIFA's requirements for a World Cup host city but could see Leicester's economy receive a boost of up to £90m.
LCC will need to provide a commitment to cover the costs before it submits the bid, which aims to secure four World Cup fixtures to be played at the Walkers Stadium, subject to the expansion of the venue.
Council leader Ross Wilmot said: "Leicester's selection as a host city would bring enormous benefits to the city's economy, through investment in the infrastructure of the city, a major boost to hotels and the tourism and leisure industries, and the creation of new jobs.
"Before we can be considered as part of England's bid we must make a huge and binding commitment to deliver all that will be required of a host city. It's important therefore that all councillors have a say in this decision, and the opportunity to examine the potential returns that the World Cup could bring."
Meanwhile, Derby City Council (DCC) has resolved to sign a Host City Agreement with the Football Association (FA) and FIFA confirming it will meet all requirements for the bid aside from works to the Pride Park stadium.
The council is working Derby County Football Club to consider plans to expand the venue, which could feature a temporary expansion to increase capacity to 45,000 for the duration of the tournament, costing £19m, or a joint temporary and permanent scheme costing £26m.
