Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Tomorrow's eagerly-awaited opening of ticket sales for the 2010 World Cup is a milestone, once more confirming that the event is definitely coming to South Africa.

This was said by David Will, head of Fifa's ticketing subcommittee, at a media briefing yesterday to take South Africans through the process of purchasing tickets.

At the same time, Jaime Byrom, executive co-chairman of Match, Fifa's ticketing and accommodation agency, said they were working hard with other stakeholders to prevent the formation of a black market for tickets.

Byrom urged people to only use Fifa-authorised sales points.

Will, who is also the honorary Fifa vice president, said they were impressed with South Africa's incredible preparations for the World Cup.

"The number of tickets to be sold for the World Cup is about three million, it is still difficult to be accurate about the number. A total 3,7 million tickets will be printed," he said.

"We can't be final about the number until the stadiums have been completed.

That is why it is important for the stadiums to be completed - we've set the October 15 deadline for the completion of all the stadiums.

"The host cities are really working hard to meet the deadlines.

"The tickets will tell a spectator from which direction to enter the stadium, row and seat number."

Fifa will be selling the tickets through its website, www.fifa.com and at the branches of First National Bank, the official partner of the world soccer governing body.

The sale starts online at 11am. The cheapest tickets, category four, which are exclusively for people in South Africa, will cost R140. Proof of residence will be required.