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World soccer's greatest prize will spread excitement in Houston on May 2nd, 2010 when the FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola takes an unprecedented journey around the world in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM).

The Coca-Cola Company and FIFA, soccer's world governing body, recently announced details of the route which will span 86 countries during the 225-day tour and allow thousands of fans around the globe to see the real solid-gold trophy in person.

The Trophy Tour, which will begin its journey from the FIFA Headquarters on September 21, 2009, will travel around the world before arriving in the host country of South Africa on May 4, 2010. The total distance the tour will travel is 134,017 kilometers (83,274 miles) or more than three times the circumference of Earth. The Tour was developed through an exclusive partnership between FIFA and Coca-Cola, a FIFA Partner and one of the organization's longest-standing corporate partners.

During the Trophy Tour, fans will be given the chance to enjoy a rare close-up view of the authentic FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy. Free tickets to the 2009/10 Trophy Tour will be made available to consumers via Coca-Cola promotions in countries on the route. At events in each city, fans will have the opportunity to have a souvenir photo taken of themselves with the trophy, view a special 3-D movie showcasing memorable moments of the FIFA World Cup, participate in interactive displays and enjoy other entertainment. Countries and dates of the route are subject to change.

"Fans will have the opportunity to personally experience part of football's biggest event when we bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola back to the U.S.," said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "Due to the growth of the Hispanic population and the popularity of soccer in the U.S., the 2010 FIFA World Cup provides Coca-Cola with a unique opportunity to connect with the new multicultural America, from Hispanic males to Soccer moms. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is the beginning of a very exciting 2010 FIFA World cup U.S. program."

"We're delighted to be partnering with Coca-Cola again to stage the FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour," said Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General. "This year's tour will excite and inspire even more fans by allowing them to get closer to the greatest prize in world football."

The 2009/10 FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour draws on the huge success of the first global Trophy Tour held in 2006. In 2006, the tour visited 31 cities in 29 countries, covering 102,570 kilometers (63,734 miles) with millions of fans around the world enjoying the chance to have a closer look at football's most famous prize.

The authentic, FIFA World Cup(TM) is awarded to the winning nation at each tournament. The iconic trophy measures 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, weighs in at 6,175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold. The winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite, whiles the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a formal association with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) since 1974 and an official sponsorship of FIFA World Cup(TM) that began in 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup(TM) since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels, from grassroots to the FIFA World Cup(TM).

Coca-Cola North America's 2009-2010 FIFA World Cup program will offer consumers the opportunity to experience the World Cup up close and personal. From in-store activations and special packaging to the Trophy Tour and all the way to South Africa, Coca-Cola will play an essential role in helping fans enjoy the excitement of the World Cup. The Coca-Cola World Cup program is designed to provide occasions for fans to celebrate and refresh themselves after every goal and every victory.

These efforts are part of the Company's continuing commitment to revitalize the U.S. sparkling beverage category by sharing moments of happiness through each of its marketing programs. The 2009-2010 FIFA World Cup and FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will be supported by a fully integrated marketing and advertising campaign featuring both traditional and non-traditional media, including television, radio, digital, out-of-home, and point-of-sale.

The Philadelphia Women's Professional Soccer team, (Philadelphia Women's Pro Soccer LLC), has scheduled a ceremony for its official signing and unveiling of the team's name and colors. This special community event will be Monday, May 18th, 6:00pm at Philadelphia's historic Franklin Institute. Area media correspondents, Philadelphia area dignitaries/VIP's, and soccer enthusiasts of all ages are invited to participate in this celebration.

Philadelphia's new women's professional soccer team, the eighth franchise in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), is led by David Halstead and Matthew Driver, who will also serve as the team's head coach. The team will begin league play in the spring of 2010. "We are excited to bring women's professional soccer back to the city and the surrounding communities of Philadelphia and to join the other WPS teams in world-class play," said team President and CEO Halstead. General Manager and Coach Driver added, "To be a part of this team, and this city's great sports history and soccer passion, is an honor. We are committed to building a franchise that is the model sports organization and the envy of the League. These distinctions will be earned from our level of play on the pitch, our support for our community, and the results we deliver to our fans and partners."

Also scheduled to attend the event will be WPS Commissioner, Tonya Antonucci. "It's a testament to the framework that we have put in place that new investment groups and passionate owners are excited about the opportunity to be a part of this league and help WPS grow in the coming years and beyond," said Antonucci, who just last month celebrated the kick off of the WPS inaugural season in Los Angeles.

For more information about Women's Professional Soccer in Philadelphia, visit their website at www.wpsphilly2010.com.

Media Event Information

• May 18, 2009
• Event registration/Meet and Greet begins at 5:30pm
• Ceremony/Media Event begins promptly at 6:00pm
• The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
• Media inquiries and event registration to Sherry Amos, sherry@sherryamos.com/" target=_new>sherry@sherryamos.com 856-415-2029
• All non-media requests, general information and season ticket sign-up, contact signingceremony@wpsphilly2010.com" target=_new>signingceremony@wpsphilly2010.com

About Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)

The mission of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) is to be the premier women's soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women's professional sports are measured. Play kicked off on March 29, 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. The league's eighth franchise, Philadelphia, will begin play next season with Atlanta expected to join as the ninth team in 2010, as well. For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.

SOURCE Philadelphia Women's Pro Soccer LLC