This Worlds was the first to host an IFMAR Worlds event of any class in the United Kingdom since 1998 (which hosted both the and Pro10; in addition to the ISTC World Cup, all notably won by David Spashett), the first to take place in the months of January, the first to take place in the first half of the year since (in April), the first to take place within a precinct of a shopping mall since .