Warning Re: WC Tickets

[beachesl]

A warning to people buying WC 2006 tickets on the net, from agencies or from scalpers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3272644

There will be a chip in the tickets to ensure that the tickets have been sold legally through authourized dealers. Any agents offering packages now are probably bogus, because authourized agents are not permitted to offer or start selling until February, 2005. There have been several bogus sales also for the Confederations Cup (sold out).

The chips will also enable the holder of the ticket to be named, and although the details have to be worked out, rumour is that you may have to show identification at the gate to show that you are the purchaser/holder named on the chip (much like a plane ticket, no-transferable). Only authourized agents will be allowed to access the chip to insert the names of the holders. So, you may have to settle who the seatholders will be, so if you change girlfriends in the interim you may be out of luck.

I'm sure that more details will be given once the sales start, but always remember, caveat empour!

[beachesl]

The following email was received this week by a poster on bigsoccer.
However, the most direct url fifa page is:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/o/tickets.html

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Dear Sir or Madam,

Many thanks for your interest in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and your enquiry to buy tickets in advance.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ will take place from 9th June until 9th July 2006. The match schedule and ticket prices were ratified on 4th December 2003 in Frankfurt, and ticket sales will begin on 1st February 2005. It will be possible to buy tickets on our website www.fifaworldcup.com. Until then, we are sorry to say we cannot accept orders or make reservations, although all the information you will need regarding admission prices and the match schedule is available in advance: simply visit www.fifaworldcup.com for comprehensive and up-to-date information.


The 2006 FIFA World Cup Opening Match will take place on 9th June 2006 at the new stadium in Munich. The group matches are divided among the 12 FIFA World Cup Host Cities between 9th and 23rd June, the second phase of the tournament begins with the Round of 16 on 24th June, the Final will be played on 9th July 2006 at the Berliner Olympiastadion.


The other host cities are Dortmund, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hanover, Kaiserlautern, Cologne, Leipzig, Nuremberg and Stuttgart.


Each host city will stage a minimum of five matches, including four group matches each. The Round of 16 takes place in Dortmund, Hanover, Kaiserslautern, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart.


Host cities for the quarter-finals are Berlin, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen and Hamburg, with the semi-finals in Dortmund and Munich and the third place play-off in Stuttgart.


Beside the German team no other teams have been seeded at this stage. When and in which stadium the teams are going to play will not be decided until the Final Draw in December 2005.

Each stadium will host at least two group stage matches involving top seeded teams.

Tickets will be available in four categories, with Category 4 tickets at 47 group stage matches amounting to €35 including tax, handling charges and the use of public transport,yet excluding postage and packing. There will be no price reductions (e.g. for pensioners, children, students, groups etc.). At the moment we are preparing the block plans of the different stadia (incl. categories). They will be published on time on our website. The number of bookable tickets is limited. There won't be any special contingents for companies or groups.


From 25th january all necessary information for buying tickets will be online on www.fifaworldcup.com.

If you need an accommodation please contact: accommodation@ok2006.de

If you are interested in tours and events related to the supporting programme of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, please contact: TES@ok2006.de

If you need any information concerning the Hospitality Programme (VIP-Tickets incl. Catering), please contact: ticket@ok2006.de


Ticket price details and the 2006 FIFA World Cup match schedule are attached for your convenience.

Yours faithfully

2006 FIFA World Cup
Organising Committee Germany
Ticketing Department[:I]