The Local Organising Committee will open up an exclusive ticket sales period for the New Zealand football family from 28 April – 18 May this year and, with a 5 per cent rebate on Venue Pack sales going direct to clubs from sales in 2014, the football community is set to benefit financially from hosting some of the biggest stars in the global game.
Speaking at a press conference in Auckland on Friday after the end of FIFA Inspection Tour of the Host City Venues, FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 CEO Dave Beeche said New Zealand’s football family, which makes up the largest sports participation base in the country, would be the first to access tickets for this landmark event.
“Our main ambition for this tournament is to fill the stadiums with people, noise, colour and passion in celebration of the world’s biggest global game coming to these shores. We wanted to ensure that price would not be a barrier for Kiwis to say ‘I was there’ when the next global football superstar was discovered.
“One of the ways to do this was to reduce the price for fans to see as many games at their venue as possible, with Venue Packs including all group matches and the round of 16 knock-out games across the seven venues.”
The exclusive sales period for all registered members of the football community will begin on April 28, running for three weeks before ticket sales are opened up to the wider public. Registered players and officials will also be the first to be able to purchase Venue Packs for each stadium ahead of the official ticket sales period.
New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin is excited by the approach to ticketing for the tournament which rewards the grassroots football community in New Zealand.
“It’s fitting that the thousands of people who are active players, officials and supporters of the game in this country will get the first opportunity to secure seats watching some of the world’s most talented players in action in New Zealand.”
“The cash rebate available to clubs via the ticket purchase process is an excellent way to provide an additional source of funds to help our clubs continue their excellent work in delivering the game at grassroots level.”
Key ticket pricing details:
– Venue Packs to include all Group Matches and Round of 16 knock-out in each stadium
– Fans purchasing Venue Packs get a minimum of 20 per cent off ticket price while stocks last and first access to finals tickets
– Adult Venue Packs in each stadium average only $90, children only $30 in 2014.
– Football clubs to get 5 per cent cash back on all Venue Pack purchases in 2014
– Groups 8+ to claim an even bigger discount
– Individual tickets to go on sale after the Official Draw in 2015
The FIFA U-20 Trophy was also on display for the ticket announcement in Auckland. New Zealanders will get a chance to see the Trophy as it travels throughout the country from 5 May – 30 May 2014, concluding exactly one year before the tournament kicks off.
Head of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Marion Mayer-Vorfelder, was on hand for the announcement at the end of the Inspection Tour and is delighted with the progress to date.
“The key to the success of hosting such a globally significant tournament is collaboration with partners. Having met the team responsible for staging this festival of football, we feel hugely confident that the event is in very safe hands in New Zealand.”
The FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 starts on 30 May 2015 and concludes on 20 June 2015. Matches will be played across seven Host Cities – Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and Whangarei.
Christchurch and Auckland will host the two semi-finals, with the showcase final hosted by Auckland’s North Harbour stadium.
The final draw for the tournament will be televised live at a high-profile event at the end of January 2015.
More than 10,000 international visitors are expected to travel to New Zealand for the tournament, which attracts an international television audience of over 170 million.
*Booking fees are additional on all ticket purchases and tickets are subject to availability.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz