McDonald's USA Gives Greater Philadelphia Region Kid Chance To Join Soccer Heroes On FIFA World Cup™ Field

Player Escort program gives Greater Philadelphia Region soccer fan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Brazil, grants to benefit local youth soccer organizations

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McDonald's

Mar 11, 2014, 11:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's is giving young soccer enthusiasts in the Greater Philadelphia Region the opportunity to meet their soccer heroes competing for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ title in Brazil this summer and also secure a $1,000 grant for a local soccer organization.

Kicking off today, McDonald's Player Escort sweepstakes gives 25 children across the country, ages 6 to 10, the chance to travel to Brazil and walk hand-in-hand with some of the world's best soccer players as they take the field for a 2014 FIFA World Cup™ match. One lucky winner, along with their parent or guardian, will represent the Greater Philadelphia Region and embark on a four-night, five-day trip to Brazil, with the first stop in Rio de Janeiro. The 25 McDonald's Player Escorts will lead players onto the field in one of four match cities – Rio de Janeiro, Natal, Manaus or Recife. Parents or guardians in the Greater Philadelphia Region can visit www.McdOneGoal.com between now and April 6 to enter the sweepstakes.

"We know how much kids in the Greater Philadelphia Region love soccer - in fact, 30 percent of American households have at least one soccer player* – and their favorite athletes often serve as role models," said John Durante, President, McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region Owner/Operator Association. "Our Player Escort program gives a local child the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of soccer's greatest event with the players, fueling their passion for the game."

Globally, McDonald's will send 1,408 children to Brazil to serve as Player Escorts and support their country's players during the month-long competition, which starts June 12 and culminates with the championship match on July 13. During their time in Brazil, Player Escorts and their parent or guardian will experience the thrilling atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup™ and the lively surrounding culture.

McDonald's Player Escort program began in 2002 at the FIFA World Cup™ in South Korea/Japan. Since that time, McDonald's has given more than 6,000 children from around the world the chance to lead a player into the stadium. Additionally, McDonald's has been a supporter of soccer at both the global and grassroots levels for more than 25 years. The Company has served as an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the FIFA World Cup™ since the United States Tournament in 1994, continuing for each FIFA World Cup™ through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options, including wholesome choices, made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 89 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. There are nearly 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 11,500 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. Visit www.mcstate.com for local restaurant, career and program information. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @McDPhilly for the latest news, info, events and promotions, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About U.S. Soccer

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer is the non-for-profit, governing body of soccer in the United States and has helped chart the course for the game for more than 100 years. During this time, the Federation's mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer, in all its forms, a pre-eminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. To that end, the sport's development and growth in the United States during the past 25 years has been nothing short of remarkable as U.S. Soccer's National Teams have continually succeeded on the world stage and, with the assistance of its members, the fan support and participation in the game continues to reach new heights. For more information, visit www.ussoccer.com.

McDonald's and Player Escort are registered trademarks of McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates.

*http://sportspath.typepad.com/files/soccer-popularity-continues-to-climb.pdf; http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/relegationzone/id/262?cc=5901

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Chas Kurtz
Tierney
215-790-4386
[email protected]

Online Newsroom:
http://news.mcdonalds.com/US

SOURCE McDonald's