World Cup football could be heading to the beach!

World Cup football could be heading to Brighton beach next summer.

The council has been approached by several companies interested in bringing World Cup matches to beachgoers next summer, setting up a giant screen and Fanzone,

Members of the council’s Tourism Development and Culture Committee have been asked to give landlord's consent for the World Cup Big Screen along with a wide range of other exciting planned for Madeira Drive and the city’s parks and open spaces.

If agreed, the council would invite tenders for the Big Screen World Cup event, which would run from June to July.

Other new events proposed for the city next year include a two day electronic dance music event run by Concorde 2 in June, a Prosecco Festival at The Level in July, a new Big Cheese Festival on Hove Lawns in March and an early morning 5k run thorough the city centre on 20 July.

The council has also been approached by the organisers of Pride, the city’s biggest event, who are working on a proposal for a second day of family focussed entertainment in Preston Park.

Outdoor events play a major role in the city contributing to the economy and attracting tourism. The 2018 proposed programme includes regular events, such as the Brighton Marathon in April, now established as one of the leading marathons in the country, and the return of the Oktoberfest, held for the first time on The Level earlier this year.

Organisers of the B Right On LGBT History Month Exhibition, which also enjoyed a successful first year, are planning a move from New Steine Gardens to Victoria Gardens. for next year’s event from February 16 to March 3.

Other events proposed for parks and open spaces includes the Moscow State Circus, Brighton Kite Festival, a Spring Festival in St Ann’s Well Gardens, the Brighton International Triathlon, Paddle Round the Pier, Heroes Run and the Funk the Family Festival.

Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the council’s Tourism Development and Culture Committee said: “Outdoor events play a major role in attracting visitors to Brighton & Hove all year round, adding to the vibrancy of the city for residents and tourists and making a significant contribution to the local economy.

“Events such as Pride, the Marathon and the Brighton Festival bring huge crowds to the city, attracting widespread media coverage and providing valuable publicity. We are particularly excited to see several new events proposed for next year including World Cup football brought to the beach and a possible second day of family fovused events for Pride.”

Landlord’s consent is required from the council for the staging of all major outdoor events in the city and councillors are considering applications submitted for events now, to enable the organisers to plan ahead for next year.

Councillors will be asked to approve the proposed schedule of events for Madeira Drive and the city’s parks and open spaces at a committee meeting on 16 November.