Tickets for 2003 World Cup to go on sale on July 15

Match ticket prices have been announced for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa between Feb 8-March 23 next year.

Details of the pricing of two types of ticket packages - which may be purchased by the public from 15 July 2002 - have been released for the 12 venues in South Africa, two in Zimbabwe and one in Nairobi.

Dr Ali Bacher, executive director for the tournament, said that the different economic realities in different geographic areas in South Africa played a part in how the prices were set for each venue.

"We believe that the prices are very reasonable for the South African market," said Dr Bacher. "A great deal of thought went into this whole process. Some people might have thought it justified to go high on these prices because this is a World Cup, after all, but we took cognizance of the SA market and its economic realities."

There are two types of package - the Stadium Package for all games at a particular venue and the Follow The Team Package for all six games played by a particular team during the preliminary or Pool round. The Follow The Team Package for all six of South Africa's Pool games ranges between R830 and R965.

Given the current rand-dollar-sterling exchange rates, the prices represent extremely good value for those supporters coming from overseas - and particularly the United Kingdom - to attend the 54-match tournament. To follow England and watch all six of their Pool games, the total cost is R755 which at the current exchange rate is about 45 pounds.

"With the devaluing of the Rand it was suggested that we peg the overseas prices, at say, an exchange rate of R7.50 to the dollar because at the current rate of around R12 to the dollar the UK cricket supporter can buy a Wanderers package - in pounds - at a ridiculously low price.

"We gave it consideration but decided the principle would be wrong to have different pricing policies for the SA market and the overseas market."

Dr Bacher emphasized that the very affordable prices for overseas visitors should encourage large numbers to attend the tournament to the overall benefit of SA's tourist industry and the country's economy.

Dr Bacher said the total seating capacity next year would be 920 000 and he was confident of an aggregate attendance of at least 800 000. He reiterated that 50 000 tickets would be taken out of the system and given on a carefully allocated basis to bona fide cricketers in disadvantaged areas.

Dr Bacher confirmed that booking would open on July 15 and not July 1, 2002, as previously announced. The reason for the change was the final of the FIFA World Cup on June 30 which will command the sporting public's interest around that time.

On July 15, bookings will open on the Internet, Call Centre and at Match Venues.

World Cup information is available on the Internet on www.cricketworldcup.com