Plenty of Good Seats Remain for the World Cup

Despite overwhelming worldwide demand for World Cup tickets, tens of thousand of tickets remain unsold just three weeks before the tournament starts. More than 70,000 hospitality tickets purchased by a Swiss marketing company have not been sold, including 13,000-15,000 VIP tickets for Germany’s three group stage matches. Perhaps one reason why the company hasn’t been able to sell their tickets is because they are committing highway robbery, charging 2,199 to 3,299 euros for match tickets, meals, non-Budweiser drinks and other stuff that ordinary football fans could care less about.

The tournament organizers are trying to get their hands on these tickets so that they can be sold for a reasonable price without the fancy hospitality nonsense.

I remember writing in January about a nightmare I had that involved the World Cup and lots of empty seats. I never thought it would actually come true but if the parties involved don’t get their act together soon we might just see it happen. I’m kind of hoping they are forced to invite people off the streets to come watch the games in the luxury seats.

For those still looking for tickets, my friends at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are auctioning off a sweet World Cup package with the proceeds benefiting blood cancer research and patient services. If you are going to spend your life’s savings, you might as well do some good in the process. The online auction ends Thursday, May 18 so get your bids in soon.

There’s also the fan-created ticket swap that is worth checking out if you have tickets but want to exchange matches.