I would like to attend the World Cup in Germany in 2006. As it stands right now, tickets are expected to go on sale sometime during the first quarter of 2005 (based on what FIFA’s website has reported).
My questions are - how easy/difficult is it to acquire tickets for World Cup matches? I would like to attend the final match in Berlin, but will settle for seeing semi-final matches.
Should I acquire the tickets directly through FIFA, or are there any reputable services that sell tickets as well? Are there any companies that sell tickets as part of a larger travel packet - tickets, accomodations, meals, etc.?
Also, can anyone recommend advice on accomodations, as well as any other tips that would make the trip (and the World Cup experience) enjoyable?
I live in the US and the trip (if I can acquire tickets) will be my first extended visit to Europe.
First I’d like to congratulate you on your foresight in planning this now. Most fans are probably waiting to see if their team is going to qualify before commiting themselves to buying tickets. If I thought my team were going to qualify I would probably be checking my country’s football association or travel agents to see what arrangements have been made. If you’ve got no prior experience or contacts then that would be my advice to you also. There might be more of a risk in travelling to Germany and then organising your accomodation and tickets yourself. World Cups are pretty popular events and leaving the organising to the professionals might be the best option.
You certainly have a better chance of getting tickets the earlier you start. The demand for final tickets would be similar to that for your superbowl. All tickets will probably be in high demand, especially any matches that involve the home team Germany, the glamorous teams such as Brazil and Argentina. Other teams can rely on significant travelling support, England is one of these.
Tickets purchased direct from FIFA (or through your national association) will be the best way to get tickets. Keep an eye on when they start going on sale: demand will outstrip supply. It is doubtful that the ticket allocation will allow you to attempt to purchase semi or final tickets without buying a full set of tickets for earlier games. If you go through an agency you can probably guarantee tickets but be prepared to pay way over the face value.
Personal experiences from France 98: I obtained tickets through a ticket tout for a non glamorous tie (paying approximately double face value). Tickets for an England group match though a tout would have set me back at least $500 which was more than I could afford. If you attempt to get tickets for the final or semis through any other route except FIFA or your national organisation expect to pay more than this.
Good luck! It will be a great experience if you manage to get tickets, and the atmosphere for most games will be fantastic.
Good things about watching football in Germany: It’s dirt cheap; You can stand up; you can get decent beer (this caused a big problem when budweiser sponsored the competition - Germans willl simply NOTdrink Bud!). The hot dogs are pretty decent too.
Bad things: It’s in Germany. Nuff said.
You need to think what you’re going for - if you want atmosphere then some teams will provide more of this than others - I would say that Holland and england are the best for this (of countries almost certain to qualify) and the paddies like a party too.
However also remember if you are based in the area where England are based you will also be based next to England’s fans - who are not as bad as they are painted but might be a bit much for an American.
Tickets go on sale through national associaitions very soon - ie in January. You usually have to buy a selction so that all the games get a decent crowd. This will alsmost certainly be the case if you want final or semis tickets.
Another thing to remember is that as certain teams go out (the big European ones basically) the tickets for the games that are left become easier to acquire (although if Germany, England, Holland etc go all the way the opposite will be true).
In any case it’s good to see a yank with some sporting sense.
Tickets are going to be about Euro 45 per match, which is about $60, for the cheapest seats at the group round games (the first round). They go up steadily from there. I paid about $150 / seat for Cat 1 seats at the group round matches in Korea, so with the exchange rate you’re likely looking at over $200. Finals seats are much more dear.
Owl, Bud was a “trendy” beer in Germany last I was there, sort of like Corona (which is mediocre Mexican beer) is here.
Eponymous, I am a member of a listserv in Yahoo that caters to these questions. If you’re following the USA then I’d definitely recommend it. If you’re just curious about attending a World Cup finals then it’s still a great source of information. Just go to Yahoo Groups and join YanksinGermany.
FIFA will have a “presale” of tickets in February. For previous Cups you would pay for your tickets in advance, and then there might be a lottery to see if you get them or if you bought team specific tickets then you only get the tickets if your team gets in. For example, in Korea/Japan the Cat 1 tickets were $150 plus there is a $45 processing fee for all orders. So tickets to the group round, which is three games, was $495/seat. If the USA didn’t get in then I’m still out my $45 but refunded for the rest.
If you want to watch all of the Germany games then you might be SOL. Ditto England or other nearby European powerhouse type countries. It’s a lot easier to get USA tickets, because the games are far away and we don’t travel well as a country, maybe a couple of thousand fans or so. In previous Cups you could buy several different types of packages: Country backer package, package for a city, package that takes you through all stages. Most expensive tickets are the final match and the opening match/extravaganza. Watch the FIFA site to see how they package these. If you want to follow USA (or some other country) then you’re best served by registering with their federation (try www.us-soccer.com) and get tickets through them. I’m sure you can also buy scalped tickets but if Germany, England, Brazil, etc get near the final then they will be VERY expensive.
You can aquire the tickets through FIFA, country federations, possibly corporate sponsors (Microsoft, Budweiser, etc), or travel agents. Some of the travel agent’s packages might include a hefty profit for them, so consider that one carefully. On the other hand Germans are notorious for scheduling their travel well in advance so I’ll not be surprised to see some cities with room shortages.
Accomodation is going to swing heavily on what you are comfortable with. Germany has many classes of hotels, which are going to be similar but not exactly the same as the USA. There will also be hostels and I expect them to organize “homestay”, where you might live as a boarder with a German family for some period of time. Good way to get an insight into life in another country, but not for everyone. Hotels will probably be expensive with the exchange rate and crowds, so if you’re on a budget you might do well to a) share a room and/or b) stay in a city that is not one of the 10 host cities. Germany has a good rail and public transport system, so this shouldn’t be a huge problem. The downside there is that a lot of the “action” will be in the host cities.
Another tip: go to some games that involve teams with spirited supporters. Brazil is one big party, before, during and after the game, although it may be a tough ticket to get. Other Latin supporters are also fervent, but may not draw the same crowds. African countries will be interesting to watch. I expect teams featuring European countries to be the hardest to get, based on proximity. If Ireland, Scotland or England make it in then go drinking with some of their supporters (try to avoid the goons). Just make sure you take some aspirins!
