How to Get Tickets to 2010 World Cup

We're a mere 485 days from the start of the 2010 World Cup ... seems like a long time, but in reality, it's right around the corner!

The world's biggest sporting event kicks off on June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The first tickets to the event go on sale February 20, 2009.

The first of a total of five sales phases for tickets will run from February 20 to March 31, 2009, with tickets being allocated by a random selection draw for over-subscribed matches and ticket categories.

All orders will be entered into a random selection draw on April 15, 2009 at the same time regardless of whether they were submitted on the first or the last day of the first sales phase. Should demand exceed availability for a certain category or match then available tickets will be awarded by ballot (i.e. through an electronic random selection draw).

That's a mouthful!!

According to FIFA's press release:

There are two ways for fans to order tickets: firstly, you can log on to FIFA.com, the official website of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa where fans can sign up for the FIFA.com Club for free. Those living in South Africa can also order tickets via the "FNB Visa Official Mascot Pre-paid card" available at First National Bank (FNB), by filling in an official application form and handing it in at one of the participating FNB branches around the country. The "FNB Visa Official Mascot Pre-paid card" will be the unique Ticket payment card for the fans who are successfully awarded tickets through the official paper application forms handed in at FNB branches in South Africa.

As well as individual tickets for the 64 matches, team-specific ticket series are also available for the country of your choice. These are valid for anything from three to seven games.

Tickets are available in three categories with category 4 reserved exclusively for South African residents. The least expensive ticket in category 3 costs $80 USD.

There will be four further sales periods for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, with the second running from May 4 to November 16, 2009. During this period, tickets will be attributed based on the order in which the application is received and, of course, subject to availability.

All information on ticket sales is available on FIFA.com. Sign up for the FIFA.com Club for free and take part in competitions, meet new online friends, set up your own personalized version of FIFA.com and get all the latest news from around the world of football in a weekly newsletter.

So make sure to sign up for the FIFA.com Club, check FIFA.com, fill out the application and hope your number comes up!!

Good luck!! I'll see you in South Africa!