Touch World Cup set for Nottingham in July 2025

The 2024 Touch World Cup will take place at the University of Nottingham’s Highfields Sports Complex from July

15–21, 2024, according to a statement released today by the Federation of International Touch (FIT) and the

England Touch Association (ETA).

After hosting the European Touch Championships in 2018 and 2022 and winning the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup for

the summer of 2023, Highfields Sports Complex has established itself as a prominent international Touch event

venue in recent years.

The Touch World Cup, the largest international competition of all, will now occupy the complex for seven days of

incredible action showcasing the world’s top athletes.

This Touch World Cup would be the first since the 2019 competition in Putrajaya, Malaysia, where 120 teams from

around the world fought for the coveted winners’ medals in 11 classes. New Zealand, Japan, Scotland, England,

France, Cook Islands, South Africa, and Singapore shared the remaining medals, but Australia dominated to

maintain their overall title as the world champion nation.

Highfields Sports Complex is a suitable location for the world game’s most prestigious event, according to Gary

Reynolds, director of events for FIT.

He remarked, “Highfields Sports Complex has consistently demonstrated that it has everything required for a

premier international Touch event.” Both the fields and the facilities are excellent, and all of the teams will have

access to lodging that is conveniently close to the fields.

“When we awarded England as the host nation of the next Touch World Cup, Nottingham was at the top of our list of

potential venues, and we’re delighted that the agreement has been finalised with the University of Nottingham.”

Chris Simon, the chief executive officer of the England Touch Association, claims that Highfields Sports Complex will

be ready to host the Touch World Cup because of its experience staging multiple European Touch Championships.

“The 2018 and 2022 Euros gave us an opportunity to hone how we use Highfields as a venue, and we will be putting

those lessons into practice at this summer’s Atlantic Youth Touch Cup and then the 2024 Touch World Cup,” he said.

“The University of Nottingham’s team have been really positive to work with and they are as excited as we are to be

welcoming the best nations from across the world to the heart of England and a venue which has become very

familiar to Europe’s international teams.”

Nottingham’s key stakeholders are all looking forward to making this a Touch World Cup to remember and working

with the ETA to provide a legacy in participation in Touch across the city and county. Touch is already firmly

established in the area with the Nottingham Touch Club and local leagues, growing participation at both universities

and introduction of the game in many local schools and colleges.

Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, stated, “We are thrilled to have been

selected to host both the 2023 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup and now the 2024 Touch World Cup at the University of

Nottingham.” The great interest in Touch in the neighbourhood and the game’s broader appeal for health and

wellness are the foundations of this fantastic opportunity for the city and the university.

“As the first city to host the World Cup in England, this is an important responsibility, and we are proud to play such

a pivotal role in helping to showcase and grow the game. We are equally pleased to see the sport being introduced

into the competitive BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) programme this year and look forward to seeing

our students in competition.”

“We are honoured and thrilled to welcome our friends from all over the world to Nottingham as a global university.”

The City Council of Nottingham has also endorsed the event.

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture, and Planning, stated, “We are thrilled that

Nottingham will host the Touch World Cup and we look forward to welcoming the players, coaches, officials, and

supporters in 2024.”

It’s a fantastic chance to introduce the game to a larger audience and further the council’s goal of promoting physical

exercise. The Touch World Cup will have a major positive economic impact on Nottingham and the surrounding

area, which has a long tradition of hosting international events.

“We look forward to working with the England Touch Association and other partners in the city to raise the profile of

the tournament and highlight the inclusivity of the game.”

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Cllr Abby Brennan, added:

“This is fantastic news and we’re delighted to welcome the Federation of International Touch, the England Touch

Association and Touch World Cup bringing players from across the globe to the local area.

Supporting an accessible and inclusive sport that is expanding throughout the Borough is a fantastic opportunity.

The second-largest English Touch club, Nottingham Touch Club, is housed at our recently renovated £1.2 million

facility Gresham Sports Park. Players of all ages and skill levels can participate in weekly training sessions and

competitions hosted by the club.

In order to encourage a healthy lifestyle and boost participation, we are committed to helping local athletes, many of

whom are beneficiaries of our Rushcliffe Elite Sports Grant and FANS program.

“We hope to see some of our talented residents represent their country, and we will be supporting the England

teams.”

Read more news on https://www.sportupdates.co.uk/