Press Release

Mangalore, Feb 22: It is not every day that football players get to play for their teams at an international level. May 5 this year will witness amateur football teams from around the world battle it out on Manchester United’s home pitch at the 2008 Budweiser 'Live the Dream' six-on-six tournament.

The final match of the Budweiser Cup is scheduled to be held at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK.  Teams from Cyprus, Norway, Sweden, England, Wales, Scotland, Paraguay, Ireland, South Korea, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, India, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Netherlands, Belgium and Italy will emerge from the Player’s Tunnel to take the pitch and claim the coveted title. 

Launched in India for the first time, local amateur teams of six a side can compete for the chance to represent India in the Budweiser Cup finals by signing up on www.livethedream.in between February 20 and March 14. Once registration is closed, 25 teams from three states, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and 200 teams from Goa will be chosen through a lucky draw and compete in regional finals in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa on the March 29 and 30.

The regional winners will then be flown to Mumbai to compete for the title of national champions and a chance to ‘Live the Dream’ at the Manchester United stadium known as the Theatre of Dreams at Old Trafford. 

'For many fans, the dream of playing with the likes of world-class players in a world-class stadium as they watch their favourite stars like Christiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney has been out of reach. With the Budweiser Cup 6v6 tournament, football fans can live their dream as they compete for the right to play at the Manchester United’s Old Trafford. Budweiser has a strong legacy of supporting and promoting football around the world and we are delighted to bring this one-of-its kind event to India,” said Rob Newman Sales and Marketing Director, Crown Beers India Ltd.

National winners (up to eight players and one manager) will get round-trip airline tickets to the United Kingdom along with first-class hotel accommodation overlooking Old Trafford. Together with this, they will also get access to Manchester United training facilities and an exclusive tour of Old Trafford. An icing on the cake will be the chance to meet Manchester United legends. They will also be provided tickets to watch Manchester United’s first team play.
 
Budweiser has also fabricated a special float-on-wheels to recreate the magic of Old Trafford. This float will embark on a 39-day journey across 10 cities in India to raise awareness about the Budweiser Cup and allow ardent football fans a chance to ‘Live their Dream’.

The schedule for the Budweiser Float is as follows:

February 21 - 23 Mumbai Maharashtra
February 26 - 27 Pune
March 1 - 3 Goa
March 7 - Manipal
March 9 - Mangalore
March 11- Sakleshpur
March 13- Mysore
March 17- Bangalore
March 22-24 - Hyderabad
March 29-30 - Vizag

Budweiser has been the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1986, and will continue to be so in 2010 and 2014. In addition, the brand is the official beer of the English Premier League, Manchester United, and Major League Soccer.