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PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
The launch of ticket sales for the 2006 World Cup in Germany sparked an international frenzy with more than 20 million applications for tickets received. It remains to be seem how many tickets will be sold for 2010, but FIFA says it is extremely happy with the launch of the application process. As the co-chairman of FIFA's ticket agency Match, Jaime Byrom is responsible for the allocation of tickets for the World Cup. Project 2010 asked him…  From your experience at previous World Cup tournaments, how important is it for members of the public to get their tickets early? It is essential. FIFA is currently making available 741,000 tickets during the initial ticket sales phase for the general public. Not to apply during this sales phase represents a missed opportunity and one that ought not to be missed. Are you satisfied with the measures taken to accommodate low income earners? Very much so. Category 4 ticket prices for 2010 are the most affordable in real terms, at least in so far as the last seven FIFA World Cups is concerned. Furthermore, FIFA and the Organising Committee have developed a 120,000 complimentary ticket initiative - the so called FIFA Ticket Fund - that will provide tickets to a large number of individuals who would not otherwise afford to attend a FIFA World Cup match. The first group of recipients identified of the Ticket Fund are the stadium construction workers who will each receive two free match tickets. In the past there was a window of opportunity for residents in the host country to purchase tickets - that is no longer the case. Why? The last time there was such an opportunity was for France '98. This led to a challenge by the European Union Competitions Commission. It also led to complaints from fans who felt left out. For 2010, as was the case for 2006, there is no distinction made as between residents of South Africa versus those from the rest of the world, except, in so far as payment being in ZAR as distinct to USD and access to Category 4 which is exclusively reserved for residents of South Africa. My understanding is that tickets will cost R750 for the quarter-finals, R1 000 for the semi-finals, while the cheapest-priced ticket for the final is R1 500. How does this compare to Germany and Japan/South Korea? Favourably. It is not always easy to draw direct comparisons as different currencies are often used and one has to factored inflation rates, etc. However, there is no question that Category 4 ticket prices are lower than those of the cheapest category of tickets for 2002 and 2006. more interviews... |
