Online demand for FIFA World Cup 2010 tickets soars

According to FIFA, more than 506,000 applications have been received through its website for tickets to the FIFA 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. Eager buyers from around the globe are trying to secure their seats to the sporting spectacle, with requests coming from 140 countries.

Tickets went on sale through the world football body’s website, fifa.com, on 20 February 2009. Chairman of the FIFA World Cup 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Irvin Khoza, hailed the success. He said:” The tremendous response is extremely exciting and gives us a great deal of confidence. It is now even more important for us to ensure that the FIFA Confederations Cup will be a success. As the tournament approaches, we will continue to promote the tournament vigorously and ensure all South Africans embrace this exciting FIFA World Cup appetizer.”

The next sales period for the World Cup event will begin on 4 May 2009, and will run into November of this year. A random draw will be held to assign tickets in the case of matches being oversubscribed.

Tickets for the Confederations Cup, seen as a trial run for the World Cup competition for the host country, are already on sale from fifa.com.