Football: How Fans from Austria Can Get World Cup Tickets

From Thursday, football fans can apply for tickets for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. After the draw, individual tickets for specific matches will be available for the first time - including for the Austrian team, which will play its group matches in Santa Clara near San Francisco against Jordan (June 17, 6:00 AM CEST), in Dallas against Argentina (June 22, 7:00 PM CEST), and in Kansas City against Algeria (June 28, 4:00 AM CEST). Questions and answers about the ticket situation:

Can you buy tickets on Thursday?

No. Initially, fans can register for the random draw on FIFA.com/tickets from Thursday (5:00 PM CET) until January 13th. Fans who do not yet have a FIFA ID must first create an account. According to the world association, the timing of registration for the draw does not affect the chances of success. Those who are lucky in the subsequent random selection process will receive an email. This will inform them of a time window in which they can purchase tickets.

How much do the tickets cost?

A lot. FIFA had advertised that tickets would be available for as low as 60 US dollars (approximately 51.50 euros). The only problem: The green areas representing this price category four are vanishingly small in the World Cup stadiums. So there are hardly any available tickets at the lowest price. Instead, yellow (Category 1) and red seats (Category 2) dominate the arena plans - these are significantly more expensive.

FIFA largely relies on a dynamic pricing model that is widespread in North America. Even in Category 3, up to 300 dollars must be paid for a group match. In Category 1, the range for group matches goes from 345 to 900 dollars. In the decisive tournament phase, prices increase significantly again. For example, round of 16 tickets in Category 2 are not available for less than 765 dollars.

How do I get tickets for the Austrian fan sector?

The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) is allocated eight percent of the respective net capacity of the stadiums per match, like all other national associations participating in the World Cup. The domestic football association mainly allocates the tickets to members, such as its official fan clubs, but also to other target groups like regional associations and the Bundesliga. They can apply for the tickets using an access code until January 13th. There are no discounts for fan tickets, but at least fixed prices are expected in the current sales phase. However, according to ÖFB information, these have not yet been determined. The cheapest Category 4 is not available to the national associations in any case.

It will be particularly expensive if you want to support Ralf Rangnick's team on-site during the knockout phase. "Follow your team" tickets, as in past tournaments, must be paid for in advance via credit card up to the final. This will amount to several thousand euros. For all rounds that ultimately take place without Austria, you will receive a refund.

How large are the stadiums where the Austrian team plays?

At least the capacity should not dampen the travel enthusiasm of the Austrians. The Dallas Stadium, where the top match against Argentina takes place, is, according to FIFA, the largest of the World Cup with a capacity of 94,000 visitors. The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) therefore receives 7,520 tickets. In Santa Clara (capacity 71,000) and Kansas City (73,000), the eight percent for the football association still amounts to 5,680 and 5,840 tickets respectively. If the Austrians finish their group in second place, they would continue to play in Los Angeles (capacity 70,000), as group winners in Miami (capacity 65,000).

How many tickets can I buy at most, and how do I receive them?

Only one access code can be redeemed per FIFA account. A maximum of four tickets per game and a total of no more than 40 tickets for the entire World Cup can be purchased per household. One baby, who is at most two years old and 86 centimeters tall on the match day, can be taken along for free on the lap per person. Tickets must be presented on a mobile phone and are delivered exclusively via the FIFA tournament app. Transfer via screenshot or photo is not possible.

Is this the last chance for World Cup tickets?

It is at least the last official sales phase. According to FIFA, remaining tickets will be sold shortly before the tournament on a "first come, first served" basis. For individual games - such as those of the Austrians against Jordan or Algeria - there might be chances. However, in the two previous sales phases, almost two million tickets for the total of 104 games have already been allocated.

Is there a "black market"?

FIFA has set up an official secondary market for tickets, where the seller is not bound by prices at all. Profits that would otherwise be pocketed by independent resale platforms thus also remain with the world association. FIFA takes 15 percent from the seller in each transaction and adds 15 percent to the price for the buyer. The official marketplace is temporarily closed until December 15. However, before last week's draw, final tickets were already being offered there for over 100,000 dollars.

Do I need a visa?

Austrian citizens do not need a visa for tourist trips to the three World Cup host countries. However, an electronic travel authorization must be obtained in advance for the USA and Canada. In the USA, the fee for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is 40 US dollars, in Canada for the eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) seven Canadian dollars (4.35 euros). Once issued, the ESTA authorization is valid for two years for entries into the USA - but if the specified passport expires earlier, it also expires accordingly earlier.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.