Northern Ireland v Israel

We may not be Brazil, and our stadiummay not be the Maracana, but when it comes to attracting tourists the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park has well and truly set out its stall. EVENOUR STADIUM PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT

As publisher of the Belfast & NI In Your Pocket visitor guide I have always promoted local and international football, even making the 2005 England match a cover feature – and that was before the epic victory. Having a cluster of footy murals, George Best Belfast City Airport, the new George Best Hotel and even George’s childhood home on Airbnb, the only thing missing is a statue to our favourite footballing son on the newly christened Windsor Way. Huge stadia around the world have, of course, been cashing in on overseas visitors for years. And big isn’t necessarily beautiful when it comes to capturing the imagination of foreign fans.

If you haven’t yet been to the Education & Heritage Centre within the stadium I highly recommend a visit. It’s home to a fantastic collection of memories and memorabilia, including the British Home Championship trophy of which, of course, we are outright winners, as well as original IFA minutes from the association’s 19th century roots. Add to that some great interactive exhibits - try and score against Jennings – and, naturally, a tribute to the Green and White Army. At the time of writing the Education & Heritage Centre is ranked an impressive number four in TripAdvisor’s top things to do in Belfast; testament to the draw of football tourism.

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