Doelgroepen

• Kinderen en jongeren
• Studenten
• Senioren
• Zelfstandigen

Bruges is a city that defies classification. This art city and tourist centre has earned its fame in Europe and in the rest of the world through its impressive architectural and cultural heritage. In 2000, the entire historic city centre of Bruges was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Its medieval streets, meandering canals and green ramparts enthral millions of visitors every year, who enjoy its comfortable hotels in historical buildings, its famous cooking and its wide range of recreational facilities. Bruges is a city in constant evolution, an ambitious city that is not afraid to accept new challenges. Like being part of World Cup 2018/2022…

Bruges was founded in the 9th century by Vikings. The name of the city is probably derived from the old-Scandinavian word 'Bryggja', which means 'harbour', or 'mooring place'. Because of the proximity of the North Sea, the settlement very quickly became an important international harbour.
In the 13^th and 14^th centuries, Bruges became a very important international trading center. Traders from all over the world came to the city to sell their products and to buy Flemish cloth, an internationally acclaimed textile product. Bruges became the warehouse of the North-European Hanza cities and was one of the most densely populated regions in Europe.

The decline of Bruges' wealth started in the 15th century: the unstoppable silting up of the Zwin, Bruges' connection with the sea, the competition with the bigger harbour of Antwerp and the crisis in the cloth industry resulted in a serious reduction of commercial activity.
By the end of the 16th century, the former glory was only a memory and Bruges slipped into a winter sleep that lasted several centuries. The 20th century, however, brought new life. The city was discovered by international tourism and the medieval heritage turned out to be a new source of wealth for the 'Venice of the North'. Moreover, the construction of the port of Zeebrugge led to an economic and industrial evolution, bringing new developments and new industries to the region.

Bruges today: one foot in the past, one in the future
Although it is true that Bruges has one foot firmly in the past, it is equally true that this city cherishes its future and fully invests in its cultural infrastructure and in modern architecture. Therefore, it is no surprise that the sixteen city museums house the Flemish Primitives as well as contemporary art.
2002, the year in which Bruges was Cultural Capital of Europe, was a watershed year for culture. The city seized the opportunity also to achieve a number of long-term objectives: the construction of the Concertgebouw (concert hall) has put Bruges back on the world map of modern architecture and the city evolved from being a historic open-air museum to being a lively city, bustling with cultural creation and cultural enjoyment.
Today more than ever, a fair number of enthralling cultural events set the city alight throughout the year. Every five years, a prestigious international culture festival takes place. In 2010, the theme will be Bruges-Central, a festival that will strengthen Bruges’ cultural ties with Central Europe and the Baltic States.

Small city, large metropolis
Bruges combines all the advantages of a small city with the facilities of a large metropolis. People come here to discover the varied range of shops and to visit one of the museums or attend a concert. Bruges also offers a vast choice of accommodation possibilities ranging from youth hostels and cosy b&b’s to stylish hotels. The city has 2 renowned hotel and catering schools, which may explain why there are so many excellent restaurants. Or maybe we have the Burgundian period to thank for that? Fact is that this city offers various options if you are looking for a quick snack or if you prefer to indulge yourself in a gourmet meal.
And our fine chocolate and boutique beer even allows you to enjoy culinary Bruges at home!

Bruges is also becoming increasingly popular among students: there is a clear growth of student numbers in the colleges of higher education, which means that there are more young people in the city. On any given day, you can see them cycling in the city centre. The bicycle is also very popular among locals and sports-loving tourists. Bruges’ mobility policy combines efficiency with a maximum respect for the environment. The city centre is not car-free, but many people use the bicycle or public transport as an alternative to the car. During the morning rush hours, two thirds of incoming traffic consists of cyclists: a unique result in Flanders! Bruges also has the best air quality of all the Flemish central towns. The city’s environment-friendly policy also includes using green energy in all the municipal buildings.

Bruges and sports
The City of Bruges encourages its inhabitants to practice sports: the municipal Sports Department offers a varied range of sports at very reasonable rates. The classic Tour of Flanders starts from Bruges’ Markt square every year. In 2007, the cycling track ‘Patrick Sercu’ was inaugurated. There are no fewer than 9 public sports halls, 3 private indoor tennis halls, more than 20 tennis courts, 50 football pitches and 3 public swimming pools on Bruges’ territory, all situated within a 10- km range.

Football: a new project for a new decade
Bruges has two teams in the Belgian first division: Club Brugge KV and Cercle Brugge KSV. Both teams were founded at the end of the 19th century. Each derby is eagerly anticipated by the fans of both Club and Cercle and is played in a great atmosphere.

Bruges was one of the host cities for Euro 2000. In total, 4 games were played in Bruges' Jan Breydel stadium. This stadium, however, does not meet the new stadium requirements for the World Cup in 2018. Plans for the construction of a new stadium have been decided.The City of Bruges will take the initiative to put the plans into effect, in close collaboration with all parties concerned. The site for the new stadium is situated on the south side of the city and is easily accessible by all means of transport. The site is perfectly suited for the construction of a stadium that meets all the FIFA requirements. Suited and ready for the challenge that is World Cup 2018/2022!

Both Bruges' First Division football teams currently play their home games in a stadium that does not yet meet the new stadium requirements for the World Cup in 2018. That is why plans for the construction of a fantastic new 45,000 seat stadium have been announced. On October 30 2009, the Flemish Government submitted a detailed proposal for the exact location of the new stadium and for the conditions for its construction. The new stadium will be built in the south outskirts of Bruges, in a domain called ‘Chartreuse’.

The site is located on the junction of the E40 and the E403 highways. All facilities for making the site accessible for public transport (train, express tram and bus) are present. On 27 November, the city of Bruges submitted its official candidacy to have the ‘Chartreuse’ site chosen as one of the potential host stadiums for the World Cup 2018/2022. Previously, on 25 November, both Bruges-based teams already agreed that this new stadium should be multifunctional. They also confirmed their willingness to share the stadium for their home games.
The City of Bruges’ proposal comprises a stadium for 45,000 spectators, 7,000 car parking spaces, 2,000 bicycle parking spaces and at least 230 coach parking spaces, extendible to 300. A train or express tram station will be built adjacent to the stadium, on the railway line Bruges-Kortrijk.
The stadium has to meet all the FIFA and UEFA requirements for the World Cup and the Champions League. The candidacy is accompanied by a financial feasibility report and a balanced business plan.

Ready before 2018
On December 11 2009, the Flemish Government officially approved the City of Bruges’ candidacy. This means that it accepted Bruges’ proposal for the ‘Chartreuse’ site as a candidate host stadium for the World Cup 2018/2022 games. The Flemish Government will be submitting the candidacies of the Flemish host cities for the official games.
As one of the official candidate host cities endorsed by the Flemish Government, Bruges commits itself to having the stadium ready for the World Cup 2018/2022.

In anticipation of the allocation for the World Cup, Bruges organizes all kind of events to stress its distinctive features as a World Cup host town. The theme of nearly all the activities is sustainability.

Below a survey. In the coming weeks and months a lot of activities will be added:

Tuesday, the 4th of May: arrival of the Bid caravan from Charleroi, that is also a Word Cup host.

Wednesday, the 5th of May: departure of the Bruges Bid caravan to Ghent, also a World Cup host town.

15.00 hours: soccer youngsters conquer the Burg square

16.45 hours: departure of the Bruges delegation (with politicians and sports embassadors) by hybrid bus to Ghent

17.30 hours: official reception at the city hall of Ghent

Tuesday, the 18th of May: Economic forum in Oud Sint-Jan

The "Economic Forum" is a B2B-event, where items relating to the World Cup are discussed. The main aim is to involve local business and industry, and in doing so create a solid basis with the local population. Explanations will be given on what the World Cup (economically) means to the region. The City as well as the HollandBelgium Bid are the invitators.