Here's a nice nugget
Cities like Durban expecting a shortage of beds. The article refers to this mysterious marketing company called MATCH Hospitality that FIFA has partnered with to...uh, to do things.
The second round FIFA sale has come and gone. I had little hope of getting any tickets from it, and today I got cofirmation from FIFA that I had not.
At this point I am thinking the best strategy will be to try to get tickets through US Soccer, and then use the remaining two a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing/salesphases.html" title="FIFA sales phases">FIFA sales phases as backup plans. As a last resort, we can always try to buy tickets from scalpers at the stadiums.
FIFA's partner MATCH has completed the random selection for tickets on Wednesday, April 15. If you haven't heard yet, you should know within a week whether you've won tickets. This is the first of four ticket sales phases.
This should be a little more uplifting than the last message. I am so excited for the World Cup next year. I want South Africa to show the world how great they are, and I know they will put on a great tournament.
I think the number one excuse I hear from people about not going to the World Cup is a fear of the crime there. It is definitely a problem. I'm sure many are afraid after the reports of attacks on foreigners last year. I don't want to downplay the significance of all this, but I think with proper precaution and understanding of the facts the crime fear can be mitigated.
If you'll be traveling to the World Cup it is important to start thinking about your passport now. South Africa requires that your passport will be valid for at least 30 days after you leave there. Your expiration date should later than July 23, 2010 if you stay through the round of 16.
Pretoria-Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld was the first stadium to open for play on Saturday, 7 February. The South African Premier Soccer League team Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-2 to Moroka Swallows. Loftus Versfeld is one of the Confederations Cup venues and will host the USA matches on 15 and 18 June. The stadium was built in 1906. For the World Cup a new roof has been installed over one stand and capacity has been increased by 5,000 to 50,000.
On Friday, the first of five ticket sales phases began. It is hard to believe that it has already started. In many ways it seems too soon as a fan to be planning ticket purchases, but for some it makes sense. Here are the basics to help with your decision.
I wish there were more of this sort of thing. Wired is reporting on a new airline in South Africa called iFly Airtime that it says is trying to begin flying soon. The airline uses a model similar to pay-as-you-go cell phone service. You buy minutes and use them toward travel. The cost of minutes can change with the market, so you can try to buy when rates are low.