ITV has unveiled its plans for coverage of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, including the installation of a fan park in Manchester and the introduction of a football-themed podcast.

The fan park, dubbed Fever Pitch, will be located at the Old Granada Studios site in Manchester. It will contain a Brazilian-style beach soccer stadium created with 450 tonnes of sand and a giant 40 sq metre screen showing live games from the tournament.

Tickets will be available for free from 17 May.

ITV will also launch a World Cup podcast, hosted by Alan Davies. The podcast, distributed free via iTunes and ITV.com, will run throughout the four-week tournament.

Separately ITV added that its tournament coverage will contain a “rich variety of perspectives” and feature regular sport pundits Roy Keane and Lee Dixon, alongside host Adrian Chiles in Brazil.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, former England player Ian Wright, World Cup winner Patrick Viera, former England manager Glen Hoddle, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and injured England player Andros Townsend will also provide commentary throughout the tournament.

Topics