State-of-the-art Stadium

The iconic home of Football club Chivas in Guadalajara Mexico is a true landmark, as it resembles a volcano. Since its inauguration, it has been the centre for many sporting highlights, such as the inauguration match between Chivas and Manchester United, the Copa Libertadores and currently the FIFA U-17 World Cup.  Estadio Omnilife is perfectly integrated into its environment, the green surroundings providing the inspiration for the stadium’s design.

High Tech grass pitch

Artificial turf was an obvious choice here.  Playing on an artificial turf pitch is always possible, no matter what the weather conditions.

Desso’s latest development in artificial grass, Desso iDNA, was installed during the construction of the stadium. The surface was chosen for its natural playing characteristics enabling technically perfect football and its durability. The pitch enables Chivas to have both training and matches in the stadium.  Thanks to the artificial grass, the stadium has a pitch that remains in optimal condition, regardless of the weather.

FIFA supports the development of high quality Football Turf

Desso is FIFA Preferred Producer for artificial grass worldwide. The collaboration seeks to create football fields that meet the optimal requirements of professional clubs and the sport in general. As a result, communities or football clubs that have a field installed by a FIFA Preferred Producer will be assured a high-quality field by a reliable supplier.  The contract is a logical continuation of both FIFA’s drive to stimulate artificial turf pitches from a cost-and quality perspective and Desso’s commitment to develop and produce quality sports fields through constant innovation. The football turf pitch at Omnilife stadium is a FIFA 2 star Recommended pitch.

Desso has strong local representation in Mexico through Advance Surfaces Mexico. Clients in Mexico include Chivas, Tijuana, Cruz Azul, Estadio Caliente, the University of Coahuila and the University of Nuevo Leon at Monterrey.

The survey, which was conducted by independent research company Opinion Matters, found that 42% of us will eat more junk food such as pizza, crisps and pizza during the tournament and 47% of us will drink more alcohol.

Worryingly, the increase in junk food consumption will be matched by a decline in eating healthier foods, particularly fruit and vegetables. The survey shows an expected fall in fruit, with the average person expecting to eat 8 fewer pieces of fruit during the football. The average person will consume 2 fewer apples and pears than usual and one fewer of fruits such as peaches, plums or nectarines.

Ron Maughan, professor of sport and exercise nutrition at the Loughborough University, commented: “While the occasional indulgence will not harm you, this research suggests some of the guys watching the World Cup will consume an awful lot of what, when eaten in such high volume, are unhealthy items.

“There is plenty of fresh fruit available as alternative snacks – such as apples and pears – at this time of the year. Football fans and non-fans alike should take care to balance their diet with these foods at all times – and particularly when the temptation to eat poorly is at its highest.”

According to the research, younger age groups are more likely to neglect their diet. 69% of 16-24 year-olds are expecting to eat more junk food during the World Cup compared to 42% of 45-54 year-olds. Alcohol consumption is highest between the ages of 25 and 34, with 66% of this age group believing they will drink more than average during the World Cup.

With goods and services 27% cheaper on average in South Africa than the UK, travelling fans already have one reason to celebrate.

Japanese supporters will see the biggest savings of around 60%, while for Australians cheering on the Socceroos goods and services will be approximately 40% cheaper. American visitors could make savings of around 30%.

Mexicans who go to South Africa to support their team will experience the smallest difference from home – prices of everyday items are on average 4% cheaper in South Africa than in Mexico.

The news is not so good for followers of Paraguay’s national team. Fans heading to this year’s World Cup should expect to pay around 9% more on average for goods and services while away.

England supporters will be glad to learn that beers in a bar will be a third cheaper than at home – that’s three beers for the price of two. Cigarettes can be bought for two-thirds of the price back home. With those savings likely to prompt the odd hangover the good news is that painkillers are half the price in South Africa than back in the UK.

If England do make it to the final in Johannesburg, the price of a short taxi ride there is typically 60% lower than a London black cab. Even if fares go up during the World Cup period, the price will still be substantially cheaper than in the capital.

If European Cup holders Spain make it to the finals on 11 July they’ll have another reason to smile: a celebratory beer at a bar will cost almost a third less than at home, while a meal out is around half the price.

For supporters of surprise-qualifiers, New Zealand, taking the trip to South Africa, living costs will be approximately a third lower than at home. If they pick up a few cans of beers and a takeaway on the way home from a game they’ll save themselves 25% off the cost of doing the same at home.

Day to day living costs also vary from city to city within South Africa – a Mexican fan watching his team’s opening match in Johannesburg, for example, will be paying approximately 15% more for a beer in a bar than if they were in Durban. Similarly, an England supporter watching their side’s first Cape Town fixture will be pleased to learn that beers in a bar followed by a take away is 10% cheaper than if the match had taken place in Pretoria.

SIRIUS XM’s holiday sports schedule includes college football and basketball, NFL post-season games, NBA, NHL and World Cup skiing

SIRIUS XM Radio announced  that it will offer listeners nationwide extensive coverage of college football’s post-season, with live play-by-play of 25 bowl games including the Bowl Championship Series, the Rose Bowl and the FedEx BCS National Championship game.

SIRIUS XM’s coverage will begin Saturday, December 20, when Navy plays Wake Forest in the EagleBank Bowl (11:00am ET on SIRIUS channel 122 and XM channel 144) and continues through Thursday, January 8, when the nation’s #1 team, the Oklahoma Sooners led by Heisman Trophy-winner Sam Bradford, face off against the #2 Florida Gators and 2007 Heisman-winner Tim Tebow in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game in Miami, FL (8:00pm ET on SIRIUS channel 120 and XM channel 140). A complete schedule of games and channels appears below.

Leading up to the national title game, SIRIUS XM personality Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo will host his daily show, Mad Dog Unleashed, live from Miami on Wednesday, January 7 (2:00-7:00pm ET) and Thursday, January 8 (2:00-7:00pm ET) on SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144.

Additionally, every weekday morning (7:00-10:00am ET) throughout the college post-season, SIRIUS XM’s college sports talk show, Rivals Radio, hosted by Bill King, will air live on SIRIUS channel 122 and XM channel 144, covering all the latest news and results and previewing every bowl match-up.

Every Wednesday (10:00am-12:00pm ET) on SIRIUS channel 122 and XM channel 144, Jack Arute and Gary Danielson host The SIRIUS XM College Football Coaches Show, covering the world of college football and interviewing head coaches and players from around the nation.

SIRIUS XM’s College Bowl Game schedule: (All times ET)

EagleBank Bowl, Washington, DC – Navy vs. Wake Forest
December 20, 11:00 am, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (Navy feed)

New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, NM – Colorado St. vs. Fresno St.
December 20, 2:30pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

St. Petersburg Bowl, St. Petersburg, FL – South Florida vs. Memphis
December 20, 4:30pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (ESPN Radio feed)

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, LA – Troy vs. Southern Mississippi

December 21, 8:15pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, San Diego, CA – Boise St. vs. TCU

December 23, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 144 (ESPN Radio feed)

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, HI – Notre Dame vs. Hawaii
December 24, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Motor City Bowl, Detroit, MI – Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan
December 26, 7:30pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (TBC Sports feed)

Meineke Car Care Bowl, Charlotte, NC – North Carolina vs. West Virginia
December 27, 1:00pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (ISP feed)

Champs Sports Bowl, Orlando, FL – Wisconsin vs. Florida St.
December 27, 4:30pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Emerald Bowl, San Francisco, CA – California vs. Miami
December 27, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

PapaJohns.com Bowl, Birmingham, AL – Rutgers vs. NC State
December 29, 3:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX – Missouri vs. Northwestern
December 29, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, San Diego, CA – Oklahoma St. vs. Oregon
December 30, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, TX – Air Force vs. Houston

December 31, 12:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Chick-fil-A Bowl, Atlanta, GA – LSU vs. Georgia Tech
December 31, 7:30pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL – Iowa vs. South Carolina
January 1, 11:00am, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, FL – Clemson vs. Nebraska

January 1, 1:00pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (TD Radio/Sports Byline feed)

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA – Penn State vs. USC
January 1, 4:30pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

FedEx Orange Bowl, Miami, FL – Virginia Tech. vs. Cincinnati
January 1, 8:30pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX – Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
January 2, 2:00pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (Texas tech feed)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN – Kentucky vs. E. Carolina
January 2, 5:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

Allstate Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, LA – Utah vs. Alabama
January 2, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

International Bowl, Toronto, Canada – Buffalo vs. Connecticut
January 3, 12:00pm, SIRIUS channel 122 / XM channel 144 (TBC Sports feed)

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ – Texas vs. Ohio St.
January 5, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

FedEx BCS National Championship Game, Miami, FL – Oklahoma vs. Florida
January 8, 8:00pm, SIRIUS channel 120 / XM channel 140 (ESPN Radio feed)

XM acquired the rights to broadcast the FedEx BCS National Championship Game, the FedEx Orange Bowl, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in a multi-year agreement with FOX Sports.

Throughout the holiday season, SIRIUS XM offers sports fans more coverage than any other radio outlet. SIRIUS XM listeners can tune in to every live NFL post-season game, plus NBA and NHL games, college football and basketball games and World Cup alpine skiing events from around the globe. In addition to play-by-play, listeners can hear engaging sports talk on several exclusive channels including SIRIUS NFL Radio, MLB Home Plate, SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, NHL Home Ice, Mad Dog Radio, The PGA Tour Network and more.

For game schedules and channel listings, please visit www.sirius.com or www.xmradio.com.