The International Football Association (FIFA) has already distributed 2,403,116 tickets to the fans for the matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Russia from June 14 to July 15, it said in a statement.
A third of all tickets (871,797) went to Russians, the rest were distributed among foreign guests. Most of the tickets were received by fans from the USA (88,825), Brazil (72,512), Colombia (65,234), Germany (62,541), Mexico (60,302), Argentina (54,031), Peru (43,583), China ( 40 251), Australia (36 359) and England (32 362).
However, the number of fans does not equal the number of tickets sold: many fans plan to attend several matches during the tournament. According to the World Cup 2018 Organizing Committee, the championship will be attended by 1.3 million people, of which 568,000 are foreigners, and 695,000 are Russians.
Ticket sales continue until the end of the 2018 World Cup, the association recalls. For example, on June 8, additional ticket sales will begin on the FIFA website.
More than 100,000 additional tickets, previously reserved for various FIFA client groups, will be available for purchase, according to the statement: “This quota includes tickets for all matches, as well as tickets for 4 categories for certain matches (with cheap tickets of 4 categories only for Russians) “.
As part of the sponsorship contract with FIFA, each sponsor receives a certain quota for the purchase of category 1 and 2 tickets for matches, explains Konstantin Tamirov, Marketing Director of AB InBev Efes (producer of BUD beer). AB InBev, being the official sponsor of the 2018 World Cup, at the time of receiving a quota from FIFA, has determined the required number of tickets that will cover all the needs of the brand, he continues: including promotions with consumers, loyalty programs and more. Therefore, for example, AB InBev does not have unallocated tickets, adds Tamirov.
Fans issue tickets directly on the association’s website. If their plans change, then the ticket can be reissued to another name or resold also on the official website. To enter the stadiums, each fan must have a Fan ID. This document also allows foreigners to come to Russia without a visa. During the tournament, in which 32 teams participate, 64 matches will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 cities.
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