Construction approval granted for FIFA World Football Museum

Following the completion of the initial dismantling phase in the “Haus zur Enge”, work on building the FIFA World Football Museum can now finally begin. Construction approval has been granted and the museum, which will embody all facets of the football world, is due to open in early 2016. The interactive, multimedia “world of experiences” will demonstrate how football touches people’s lives and the world every day, while FIFA’s extraordinary history and the unique experience that is the FIFA World Cup™ are also major areas of the exhibition concept. The FIFA Museum is also continuing to take shape from an operational viewpoint, with the appointment of Martin Schlatter as Managing Director of FIFA Museum AG from mid-April. The 48-year-old from Schaffhausen is an experienced manager whose most recent position was Senior Vice-President & Global Chief Marketing Officer at US confectionery giant Wrigley. Mr Schlatter has also been Marketing and Sales Director for Switzerland at Lindt & Sprüngli and Marketing Director in various divisions at consumer product company Procter & Gamble. The museum will also be a vibrant meeting place and discussion forum for all members of the football family, including fans, clubs, associations, friends and suppliers, partners and sponsors. FIFA has appointed Berlin-based TRIAD Projektgesellschaft mbH as planning office for the design implementation of the football museum. Since 1994, the company has been creating award-winning exhibitions and Expo pavilions, exhibition stands and brand worlds, films, events and conferences that present brands, messages and complex themes in such a way as to leave a lasting emotional effect. In November 2013, the building authority of the City of Zurich granted FIFA planning permission with certain requirements. In order to cater for the anticipated increase in traffic, a new concept was required before construction work could begin. This concept was worked out in conjunction with and approved by the authority. In addition to the exhibition space, the upper storeys will house offices for 136 workstations as well as 34 apartments.