Massive Response for TicketsThe Soccerphile World Cup 2002 Archives Click here to go to the current Soccerphile.com
Massive Response for TicketsJapan
A massive 15,460,000 applications for tickets were received by the Japan World Cup Organizing Committee (JAWOC) in the first round of applications 15 February - 14 March.
Only 100,161 or 4% of applications were made over the Internet reflecting the problems and delays the official FIFA site experienced with its servers, which were unable to handle the high volume of traffic. JAWOC had to print an additional 2 million application forms due to the computer glitches and forms were changing hands on Internet auctions for up to $US10. Only about 221,000 tickets were available to the public in Japan with the rest reserved for corporate interests and the media. Thus there were around 70 applications for each ticket. The lucky recipients will be notified in June after a computer lottery. A further round of 63,000 ticket sales will be held in early 2002.
KoreaThe Korean organizers (KOWOC) received 1,031,000 applications for the 230,000 tickets offered with over half the applications made over the Internet. The 230,000 tickets for the initial sale make up 30 percent of the 750,0000 tickets to be sold domestically in Korea. However, a large proportion of applications were made for the opening game, semi-final and matches involving the Korean national side. Overall, there was an average of around 4 applications for each ticket.
Soccerphile can confirm reports of government and municipal workers
being instructed to buy tickets for games not involving the home side.
The high price of the tickets for the average Korean fan was cited as the main factor for the relative lack of interest in matches
not involving the national team. Around 50% of the 2,700 tickets
reserved for disabled fans also remain unsold. A computer draw in May
2001 will decide the the winners of the initial round of ticket sales.
Those drawn out of the hat will be given priority in seat selection and
be able to pay for the tickets in Korean won at a fixed rate of 1,000
won to the U.S. dollar, regardless of exchange rate fluctuations. "Prestigious
tickets" will also go on sale starting in May.
Globally FIFA expects to sell around 3.18 million tickets for the matches
in Korea and Japan.
The Soccerphile World Cup 2002 Archives
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