Tickets were a scarce commodity at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. Demands exceeded the availability by far, although a total of 3.37 million tickets for the 64 matches in Germany were sold. Another large batch, from 2.8 to 3.1 million tickets, will be available for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

The Organising Committee, LOC, reckons that demands will not be as extreme as in 2006 when the orders exceeded the totals available in some categories. However, the first FIFA World Cup™ to take place on the African continent could be “overbooked” as well, with demands again exceeding availability.

The first tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will go on sale at the end of January 2009 according to LOC. The tickets will be offered firstly in the cities hosting matches and at airports in South Africa, as well as online on the Internet as the organisers announced in September 2008. Just as at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ the sale will be subdivided into various phases.

As of autumn 2008, 650,000 tickets have been reserved for foreign visitors who want to attend the World Cup in South Africa. With the exception of the opening match, tickets for the preliminary round should cost around 110 Euros. As the basis is the US dollar, the exchanges in Euro can vary. The fact is that it will be more expensive for foreigners to watch matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ on site than in 2006. The tickets in the cheapest category then cost 35 Euros. Tickets for the second round at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ should each cost 138 Euros, for the quarter-finals 207 Euros, the two semi-finals 414 Euros and the final 622 Euros. Prices for certain parts of the stands could be even higher. Tickets for exclusive hospitality and VIP areas can be ordered from September 2008.

FIFA and LOC have created cheap categories for South Africans. As large numbers of the population have very low incomes, the cheapest tickets will be offered for about 15 Euros for preliminary round matches. Altogether 450,000 tickets will be available for home spectators. The remaining tickets will be allocated to the FIFA Member Associations, sponsors and international tourist operators.

In addition it is intended to distribute free tickets to needy South African fans. The so-called ticket fund consists of 120,000 tickets. FIFA have created a special programme with some sponsors paying for the tickets.

Contrary to 2006, the International Football Association, FIFA, has again taken over the principle responsibility for the distribution of the tickets. Ticket sales will be handled by FIFA, LOC and the FIFA service company MATCH.

Here you can find more information:

FIFA Homepage: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing/