World Cup ticket rush is on

21 April 2010

A total of 180�000 tickets were sold in the first six days of the fifth and final sales phase for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. By 21 April, tickets for 27 matches were still available, with category 4 tickets still available for seven of those games.

The start of the fifth sales phase last week coincided with the opening of ticketing centres in all nine South African host cities and the start of the over-the-counter sales.

According to Fifa.com, of the 180�000 tickets sold, 91�000 tickets were processed at FNB branches across South Africa, 42�000 via www.fifa.com, 42�000 from the 11 ticketing centres in the country, and about 5�000 at the 18 participating Shoprite/Checkers stores.

Fans can check up on Fifa.com's constantly updating ticket availability chart

Subject to availability, tickets will be available through to the last day of the tournament (11 July) via five different sales channels:

The official tournament website www.fifa.com.

The World Cup call centre hotline, open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm: 083 123 2010 (from within South Africa) or 0041445832010 (international).

11 ticketing centres across South Africa's nine host cities, open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. Fans will have to show an ID document. Check the ticketing centre locations.

18 Shoprite/Checkers sales points, open seven days a week. Fans will have to show an ID document. Check the sales point locations.

About 600 FNB branches across South Africa, open five days a week. Here, fans can order tickets, make payment and get ticket confirmation immediately. However, the actual tickets will need to be collected either from one of the 11 Fifa ticketing centres or from one of the 18 Shoprite/Checkers sales points.