<p><strong>Despite the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting closure for several months, as well as further reduced opening hours and a significant decline in international visitors to the city, 766,834 people either enjoyed a trip to the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich or engaged with its digital content in 2020.</strong></p> <p>A total of 88,997 visitors were welcomed to the home of football history and culture – located opposite Enge train station and a short walk from Lake Zurich – in 2020 to experience its exhibitions, events, educational offerings and gastronomy while adhering to strict safety and hygiene guidelines. Naturally, in light of COVID-19, the original target of recording a third successive year of growth in annual visitor numbers proved unattainable.</p> <p>In addition, there was no special exhibition abroad for the first time since 2018. At a time when physical distancing is essential, the FIFA Museum has been focusing on expanding the range of content available via its digital channels, thus enabling 677,837 people to engage with its online resources in 2020.</p> <p>“We’re pleased and grateful to have still been able to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the beautiful game to provide football fans with enthralling moments, emotional memories and new encounters during these challenging months,” said the museum’s Managing Director, Marco Fazzone. “It’s also been great to see the very positive reception to our new permanent exhibition area, The Virtual Pitch, which spotlights eFootball as a lively part of modern football culture.”</p> <p>“In 2021, our focus is on continuing to develop digital exhibition and event formats based on the history and culture of football,” Fazzone continued. “We’re also looking forward to living up to our important responsibility by hosting our second international FIFA Museum Conference this autumn to preserve and promote football’s cultural heritage together with directors of football museums and leading cultural initiatives from all over the world.”</p> <p>With its fifth anniversary at the end of February fast approaching, the FIFA Museum has become a highly impactful cultural destination that FIFA intends to develop further in the future.</p>