2010 W.Cup tickets go on sale, locals not buying

one million World Cup tickets were made available on Saturday in the latest phase of sales for the 2010 finals amid fears not enough tickets were being bought by the South African hosts because of the cost.
About 90 percent of the previously available tickets have been sold, but FIFA and local organisers are having to implement an aggressive marketing campaign to entice more sales to locals. South African residents have bought just over half of the 674,403 tickets already sold in the first two phases of sales, soccer's governing body said.

The slower pace of sales in South Africa contrasts with the demand for the last finals in Germany, where an average of six applications were received for each available ticket. Jordaan said his compatriots had a habit of buying tickets for sports events at the last minute, though prices have been set much higher than that normally paid by South African fans.

The cheapest World Cup ticket is US$20 while to attend local premier league matches costs around US$3. The tickets released on Saturday would be made available through a random ballot with international fans applying though the Internet, while locals could make applications at bank branches. Applications close on Jan. 22.