Ticket applications hit 220,000 mark within 48 hours

The aftermath of the Final draw has seen a sudden global surge in ticket applications for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the third ticketing phase. The third phase kicked off on Saturday 1pm, and since then 219,162 ticketing requests have been received via FIFA.com.

“We still have 47 days to go in this third phase of ticket sales. We are pleased with the interest shown so far. It shows the impact the final draw has had on football fans and the FIFA World Cup next year,” said Horst R. Schmidt, chairman of the Ticketing Sub-Committee. Applications for tickets to Africa’s first FIFA World Cup™ can be made via www.FIFA.com/2010.

South African residents have an option to apply for tickets at FNB branches across the country. Fans have until 22 January to apply for individual match tickets or Team-Specific Series. In the event of over-subscribed matches or categories, or over-subscribed ticket products or categories, there will be an electronic random selection draw on 1 February to identify the successful applicants.

“Now that the match schedule has been confirmed, we encourage fans in South Africa, Africans and football fans around the world to grab this chance and purchase their tickets for what will be an unforgettable event,” says Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

The prices for group matches range from USD 20 to USD 160 (opening match: USD 70 – USD 450; final: USD 150 – USD 900) or ZAR 140 to ZAR 1,120 (opening match ZAR 490 – ZAR 3,150; final: ZAR 1,050 – ZAR 6,300. Category 4 tickets, the most affordable, have been exclusively set aside for South African residents.

All 32 participating member associations are allocated 12 per cent of all purchasable tickets in the stadiums where their three group games will be played. These tickets were made available as from 6 December 2009 through specified websites operated by the 32 participating member associations.