World Cup tickets set to go on sale

IRELAND fans gambling on Giovanni Trapattoni’s team making next year’s World Cup in South Africa will get a chance to get their hands on tickets for the event tomorrow.

Ticket prices for the 2010 World Cup range from e60 for group stages to e700 for the final, FIFA said yesterday. The most expensive ticket for the opening match for category one stadium stands — located pitchside — is e350. Semi-final tickets go for e470.

“We are not sure how much impact the current global recession will have on the tournament,” said Hirst Schmidt, a FIFA consultant for the World Cup. “What we know is that football fans are a peculiar kind. They will want to see their teams at all cost,” he added.

Tickets would be available in three types of sales phases: the random selection draw, the first come first served and last-minute sales.

“The reason for having different types of sales phases is the varying demand and anticipates availability of tickets at different stages,” said FIFA.

Applications for the phase one random selection sales close on March 31 with the draws taking place on April 15.

The draws for the last minute sales will take place on February 1 next year.

For the first time in the history of the world’s top football event, FIFA has set aside 120,000 discounted tickets for South African residents, including 40,000 free tickets for stadium construction workers.

The FIFA deadline for the completion of all the 10 stadiums is October 15.

Application forms for tickets will be available online at www.fifa.com at midnight Irish time tomorrow.

One person is allowed to apply for only four tickets per game for a maximum of seven matches. A ticket applicant may not apply for two matches taking place on the same day.

The World Cup starts on June 11, 2010.