In just 21 days the most watched broadcast event on earth kicks off in South Africa. The 2010 FIFA World Cup anticipates exceeding the viewing figures for the tournament to exceed the 2006 event which numbered some 30 billion for the entire tournament (about 470 million per match) including an estimate of 715 million who viewed the final between Italy and France. Every four years the top nations take part in the footballing party which will be hosted over 30 days in South Africa beginning on June 11. This is the first time the tournament has ever been hosted by an African nation and FIFA are confident that the tournament record for total viewers will be shattered this Summer.

These figures represent ‘televisions’ in use per match but if you’ve ever been in a country where Football/Soccer is the national sport you’ll know that audiences are far larger as groups of hundreds often watch in pubs, parks and various other ‘viewing parties’ which add to the atmosphere. Its safe to say you can watch the matches outdoors in a large gathering in most major cities there is one broadcast scheduled to take place in London that is laying claim to be the first ‘Green World Cup Broadcast’. As part of the annual Haringey Green Fair which takes place in the North London borough of Haringey the event has announced plans to construct an eco-cinema in a park during the fair. The yearly fair showcases green suppliers and highlights the district’s commitment to addressing environmental issues with a series of informational sessions/booths and stalls which sell eco-friendly items. To celebrate the Green Week and related events the borough is using the timing of the festival coinciding with the World Cup to attract perhaps a broader audience than normal.

During the first week of the World Cup (the same week of the fair) a giant Cinema screen will be constructed on Duckett’s Common. The screen will be powered completely by bio diesel generators and will feature the big match on the second day of the tournament (June 12) between England and the USA. Admission to see the game will be free and it will be the only open air venue to watch the

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game in Haringey – and the show will be entirely green. A novel idea that should see many hundreds of fans attend the fair and then the game that evening. Local councilor for Haringey Nilgun Canver added:

“This is a first and it is really exciting. Our annual Green Fair is taking place on the common earlier in the day and we wanted to link this to the excitement of England’s first game that evening. We are using the bio fuel screen as part of the Green Fair to promote sustainable living and decided we would love to use it to screen the World Cup game.  Often you can only watch football on large screens in pubs and licensed premises. We thought it would be a good idea to enable whole families to come along for free to enjoy the game together in an environmentally friendly atmosphere. Haringey Council is committed to cutting carbon emissions and I hope this shows everyone that almost anything can be adapted to support those aims.”

As for the match, expect an England win by 3-1 although the tournament will be eventually be won by Spain or Argentina. That’s the Planet Forward forecast!