Who is going to WC 2010?

[nan]

Hi there,

I haven't posted in ages! Seriously, though, I've been a member of this site since 1999. Any way, I was wondering who on these message boards is planning to go to South Africa. I want to take my dad, who has always wanted to go to the World Cup but never had the resources. I want to plan this trip, but I don't even know where to start. Are there South African tourism companies that sell package World Cup deals like with tickets, accommodations, and transportation? If so, where can I find these people?

I've only been to Africa once and would much rather go with a group of people or a tour company. I'd also like to travel to different matches around the country, but again, I really don't know how to go about this. If there is anyone on here who is already planning their 2010 trip or who has been to previous World Cup I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for all your help!

[comme]

Hi there,

I haven't posted in ages! Seriously, though, I've been a member of this site since 1999. Any way, I was wondering who on these message boards is planning to go to South Africa. I want to take my dad, who has always wanted to go to the World Cup but never had the resources. I want to plan this trip, but I don't even know where to start. Are there South African tourism companies that sell package World Cup deals like with tickets, accommodations, and transportation? If so, where can I find these people?

I've only been to Africa once and would much rather go with a group of people or a tour company. I'd also like to travel to different matches around the country, but again, I really don't know how to go about this. If there is anyone on here who is already planning their 2010 trip or who has been to previous World Cup I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for all your help!

I'm planning to go, but do not have any concrete plans yet as the tickets have not even been released.

If you want a package then it tends to be very expensive.

Here is an example

http://www.onpointevents.com/PPF/category_ID/9_26_/onpoint.asp

Given that no tickets are yet available these people are charging a premium for getting you the tickets. Most of the other tour operators have not even updated their sites yet, but I'd expect them to charge similarly stupid prices.

[RichardL]

and, of course, there's no guarantee that the package company in genuine. I'd be particularly wary of any saying you can buy tickets through them as part of the package.

[comme]

and, of course, there's no guarantee that the package company in genuine. I'd be particularly wary of any saying you can buy tickets through them as part of the package.

Yep, I'm not recommending any BTW. Just saying that it is available.

I am expecting, may be completely wrong of course, that tickets will be a fair bit easier to come by than in Germany. I think particularly from the touts the prices will be lower.

[RichardL]

Yep, I'm not recommending any BTW. Just saying that it is available.

I am expecting, may be completely wrong of course, that tickets will be a fair bit easier to come by than in Germany. I think particularly from the touts the prices will be lower.I read somewhere that FIFA are planning a system where you collect the tickets when you get to South Africa, making it impossible for touts to trade tickets outside the country.

I do agree through that the comparitive awkwardness, not to mention cost, of getting to South Africa is going to limit the numbers going, and make tickets more available.

[Andy TAUS]

I read somewhere that FIFA are planning a system where you collect the tickets when you get to South Africa, making it impossible for touts to trade tickets outside the country.

I do agree through that the comparitive awkwardness, not to mention cost, of getting to South Africa is going to limit the numbers going, and make tickets more available.That's the very same scheme as currently in force at the Beijing Olympics and we can see the effect that's had on actual attendances (ie lots of empty seats in "sold out venues, with many people outside wanting but not having tickets to said same events).

[glennaldo_sf]

Hi there,

I haven't posted in ages! Seriously, though, I've been a member of this site since 1999. Any way, I was wondering who on these message boards is planning to go to South Africa. I want to take my dad, who has always wanted to go to the World Cup but never had the resources. I want to plan this trip, but I don't even know where to start. Are there South African tourism companies that sell package World Cup deals like with tickets, accommodations, and transportation? If so, where can I find these people?

I've only been to Africa once and would much rather go with a group of people or a tour company. I'd also like to travel to different matches around the country, but again, I really don't know how to go about this. If there is anyone on here who is already planning their 2010 trip or who has been to previous World Cup I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for all your help!

I'm planning to go to South Africa ... not for the world cup.. but for Great White Shark diving later this year. I had my world cup in 1994 - just seems like it's getting more and more expensive every time. I remember we all made a big deal out of paying $100 for semifinal tickets. LOL! But for those that do go - enjoy!

[Cool Rob]

That's the very same scheme as currently in force at the Beijing Olympics and we can see the effect that's had on actual attendances (ie lots of empty seats in "sold out venues, with many people outside wanting but not having tickets to said same events).

I agree the distance will make it easier to get tickets, especially if you aren't following Brazil, Argentina, England, the Netherlands, or South Africa (obviously). Beijing was totally undersold, and I'm very happy that the touts lost $$$ because of air and hotel prices in Beijing. Also, South Africa is not Germany, France, or Japan in a touristic sense so the supply and demand for tickets should not be outrageous.

Unless your trust fund is in good shape...skip the tours- ungodly expensive for what you get.
My wife travels to Africa for work at times...so I will definitely be there!!! I will post any relevant information in the future.

[Team Melli forever]

I'm planning to go as long as Iran qualifies. But it's too early to plan anything as nothing has been finalized by FIFA yet.

[johan neeskens]

Hi there,

I haven't posted in ages! Seriously, though, I've been a member of this site since 1999. Any way, I was wondering who on these message boards is planning to go to South Africa. I want to take my dad, who has always wanted to go to the World Cup but never had the resources. I want to plan this trip, but I don't even know where to start. Are there South African tourism companies that sell package World Cup deals like with tickets, accommodations, and transportation? If so, where can I find these people?

I've only been to Africa once and would much rather go with a group of people or a tour company. I'd also like to travel to different matches around the country, but again, I really don't know how to go about this. If there is anyone on here who is already planning their 2010 trip or who has been to previous World Cup I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for all your help!

I've been to several world cups and will probably go to this one, fortunately my boss knows people in South Africa and is happy to help out. Anyway this basically is how you go about getting tickets for your typical world cup:

1. Try to get tickets through your national football association - each football association gets an x number of tickets and they're responsible for their distribution. If that doesn't work:
2. Try to get tickets through tour operators. As the other posters indicated above, be very careful as there's loads of dodgy companies about. If that doesn't work:
3. Ask everybody you know and their wives if they work for an official world cup sponsor and try to get tickets through them. If that doesn't work:
4. Participate in every single competition/lottery/quiz that gives away world cup ticket prizes. If that doesn't work:
5. Just book a plane ticket to South Africa. In my experience, opportunities to buy tickets always emerge somehow locally. Tickets are personalised but it's logistically impossible to check the validity of 50,000 odd tickets when a football game is about to start.

[RichardL]

6. (and perhaps the most obvious) Apply for tickets in the FIFA ticket buying phase(s).

With a reduced amount of fans going compared to 2006, for example, the odds of getting tickets are far higher, especially if you just want to see "some games" rather than specific teams.

[mrtandy]

If I go it'll either be number 6, as I'm not to bothered about who I see. Or 1, as I'm in the Englandmembers+ scheme. That rather depends on England qualifying though.

[yufu14]

I have a good chance of going.

My friend is going and apparently getting very Very expensive seats.

[WECpoker]

Im gonna wait and see myself

I love World Cup Time....I have traveled to many over the years

But Im a little unsure that the South Africa venue will be as many (as much of a) good times as all the rest

[Beazley17]

This is gonna be my first World Cup, and basically my first soccer game, besides an MLS game almost 8 years ago. I will be 18, and plan on going to it with my dad. I really have no idea where to start, and we are going to see a travel agency really soon. I think the best way to buy tickets, would be to buy them from the teams federation, on the website.

[ronaldb48]

I'd go so long as the US, England or Republic of Ireland qualifies. I have interest in all three teams. I'm from the US, have relations in Ireland and live at the moment in England. What do you think of the likelihood of any of the 3 qualifying. Especially after the disappointment of Euro 2008. I fully expect England to and hopefully the US too but not so sure about ROI. Any thoughts on this?

[Beazley17]

I'd go so long as the US, England or Republic of Ireland qualifies. I have interest in all three teams. I'm from the US, have relations in Ireland and live at the moment in England. What do you think of the likelihood of any of the 3 qualifying. Especially after the disappointment of Euro 2008. I fully expect England to and hopefully the US too but not so sure about ROI. Any thoughts on this?

Are you new to soccer? USA will make it, it's basically guarenteed. It's a lot more sure than England, I can tell you that. Anyways, US will make it for sure. England, probably 75% yes, but it will be tough, Republic of Ireland, probably not, but they definatley have a shot.

[erick]

im going to try...

[glennaldo_sf]

I'd go so long as the US, England or Republic of Ireland qualifies. I have interest in all three teams. I'm from the US, have relations in Ireland and live at the moment in England. What do you think of the likelihood of any of the 3 qualifying. Especially after the disappointment of Euro 2008. I fully expect England to and hopefully the US too but not so sure about ROI. Any thoughts on this?

Yeah Euro 2008 was really dissapointing for the USA! I mean they didn't win any games! :eek:

[Iaco]

2010 no, 2014 most likely.