Ottawa prepares for FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015

OTTAWA, Canada – Ottawa is one of six Canadian cities gearing up to stage the biggest event in women’s football this summer. In all the Canadian Capital will be hosting nine games over six match days with visitors invited to join in what will be a month long, nationwide celebration from 6th June to 5th July. The England national team face a tough group with France, Colombia and Mexico all battling it out for a place in the knockout stages. But no matter how far England progress in the tournament everyone will be a winner in Ottawa this summer.

The Ottawa festivities will centre in and around the 24,000 seat Landsdowne Stadium which is located in Landsowne Park just south of the city centre. Built in 1908 and renovated in 2007 the historic venue, which is the home of the Ottawa REDBLACKS, will host several crucial group matches as well as later stage knockout games. The first match to take place in Ottawa will kick off at 1pm on 7th June when Norway take on Thailand in what is expected to be a fast paced game and later that afternoon, tournament favourites and 2011 hosts Germany will face the Ivory Coast.

The England team under Coach Mark Sampson are looking strong; they had a perfect qualifying record by winning all 10 of their matches on the road to Canada. And according to the official FIFA website “This is a dynamic England team with plenty of pace and power going forward, with plenty of players, including Toni Duggan capable of creating a moment of magic out of nothing”. If England progress from the group stages they may find themselves facing old rivals Germany in the second round on 22nd June at the Lansdowne Stadium….let’s watch this space!

But if all that sporting excitement gets too much, then host city Ottawa offers visitors far more than just football this summer. The coolest thing about Ottawa is that visitors can experience the best of Canada, all in one place! There’s a certain “je ne sais quoi” that this clean, green and active city embodies. Whether it’s biking along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site running through the heart of the city, doing yoga with 1,000+ of your closest friends on the grounds of Parliament Hill (Canada’s seat of government), learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute (or dining at their restaurant), soaring above the bustling ByWard Market neighbourhood in an open-cockpit biplane, or whitewater rafting in downtown Ottawa, Canada’s capital offers endless unforgettable experiences!

With countless world class attractions and experiences here are five of the best that every visitor to Ottawa should be sure not to miss this summer.

• The ByWard Market is one of the oldest and largest farmers’ markets in Canada, as well as the name of the eclectic neighbourhood that surrounds it. Ottawa’s entertainment district is filled with great restaurants, clubs, bistros, coffee houses, food retailers, shops and boutiques. In the summer, up to 175 outdoors stalls sell plants, flowers, fruits & vegetables as well as arts and crafts. The city’s best people-watching is done here!

• The Parliament Buildings are home to Canada’s federal government and free tours are offered daily. As the only remaining part of the original structure to survive a disastrous fire in 1916, the Library of Parliament—a Gothic Revival marvel—is definitely a must-see.

• The Rideau Canal, the province of Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, snakes through downtown on its way to Lake Ontario, 202km away. Just a couple of miles downstream from the city centre the canal is overlooked by the Landsdowne Stadium where all the footballing action will take place.

• Visit one or more national museums in the Ottawa area, including the Canadian Museum of History (Canada’s most popular museum), the Canadian War Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, and more.

• Don’t miss Ottawa’s numerous summer festivals and events such as the eclectic TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival that leads into the biggest and best Canada Day (1st July) party in the country. The celebration kicks off on 18th June and runs for nearly two weeks during the FIFA Women’s World Cup until 1st July.