2010 World Cup Ticketing Changed

FIFA has unveiled a change in the ticketing system for the 2010 World Cup with a greater allocation to fans of national teams.

FIFA has stated that it will allocate 12% of total stadium capacity to fans of competing teams, up from 8%, for first round games.
 
Commented FIFA official David Will: ‘We have always been criticised for too many tickets going to the fat cats. But we are confident that at least 80% in 2010 will go to the general public.’

The new 12% figure will only be for the first round of the World Cup in South Africa, with the total returning to about 8% for matches in the knockout phase.

Tickets will go on sale in February 2009 and a new collection system will be put in place to try to stop tickets being sold on the black market.

There will be five phases of ticket sales and buyers will only be able to pick up their tickets when they get to the host nation.

FIFA will also not be giving tickets to the football associations of participating countries to sell and distribute.

That responsibility will now go to MATCH, an organisation in Manchester which runs FIFA’s hospitality and accommodation programmes and will now sell and distribute tickets.