Ticket sales for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia reach almost 1 million

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The number of applications received for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia match tickets is close to one million, Head of FIFA Ticketing, Falk Eller, said Tuesday.

Ticket sales for the 2018 World Cup, which will be held in 11 cities across Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018, started last Thursday at noon Moscow time (09:00 GMT), with fans having sent more than 500,000 requests on the first day.

Eller told reporters FIFA was very satisfied with the number of applications, adding that the largest number of foreign applications were from Argentina, Mexico, the United States and China.

According to Eller, the number of applications for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final has already exceeded the seating capacity of the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow.

Fans have shown the most interest toward the opening and final matches, Eller said, adding that 60,000 applications have been submitted for the opening match, and 83,000 for the final. The renovated Luzhniki stadium, which will host both matches, can now hold about 81,000 people.

There are four categories of tickets, each with different price, with Category 1 being the highest. Foreigners, however, will be unable purchase tickets from Category 4, which are being sold at the cheapest prices ever for a World Cup, Eller said.

On September 11, FIFA announced that the most affordable tickets for the tournament’s matches will cost 1,280 rubles ($22), and will be sold exclusively to the host country’s residents.

FIFA will open a special online platform for reselling and exchanging World Cup tickets closer to April, Eller noted, adding that the federation expects a full house and a holiday spirit at the matches.