World Cup build up continues with ticket announcement

(AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD)

FIFA have announced that the final design of the official 2010 World Cup Ticket will be unveiled on Friday, April 9.

As well as showing off the new tickets, FIFA's Jerome Valcke and Danny Jordaan are expected to provide updates on ticket sales so far, in advance of the final ticketing phase which starts on Thursday, April 15. 2 million had been sold by the end of January 2009, up from the estimated 675,000 that had been allocated in November 2009.

Like the fourth phase of ticketing, which ran from February 9 to April 7, the fifth sees tickets allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices range from $20 to $160 for group matches, $70 to $450 for the opening match (South Africa vs Mexico, June 11 15:00 BST), and $150 to $900 for the final a month later on July 11, 19:30 BST.

Fans can buy tickets to specific matches or use a Team Specific Ticket Series option to follow a specific team. Ticket applications are submitted in three main ways: via the FIFA website, by post or fax using a form also available from FIFA.com, or at branches of the First National Bank in South Africa. Hopeful applicants are then contacted within ten days, say FIFA.

Website: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing