Around 7,000 of the 17,011 tickets available for the Malta-Italy qualifier next month have already been sold.
Addressing a news conference yesterday, MFA CEO Bjorn Vassallo said that around 1,000 of these have been taken by locals through Goal Cards – an incentive which has proved to be successful. These cards will enable holders to see all the Malta matches, not just that against Italy.
He also said that tickets are available for West Stands A and C, the Millennium Stand and the North and South Stands. The West A stand – around 1,600 seats - is reserved for visiting fans whose demand is expected to exceed expectations.
Vassallo added that the 26 March match is a dream match for the MFA and all local football enthusiasts. “This is simply because Malta is playing against one of the world’s giants in the football scene. We are expecting a capacity crowd at Ta’ Qali and to avoid congestion, we are urging the Maltese public to buy tickets early not to be disappointed,” he added.
The MFA CEO revealed that the association had invested over euro 2million at the National Stadium, especially at the Millennium Stand, in the past two years.
Norman Saliba, from the MFA Marketing Department, said that seats in the West A and C stands (upper) are priced at euro75, while seats in the lower part of these two stands cost euro 60. Seats at the Millennium Stand cost euro 30 while those for the North and South Stands cost euro 20. Tickets for children under 12 are only available at the Millennium (euro 15), North and South Stands (euro 10). Children seated at the West A and C stands will have to pay the price paid by adults.
There will also be a limited number of spaces at the Millennium Stand for persons confined to a wheelchair. Such persons will be allowed free into the Stadium (upon prior request and on a first come first served basis). However, these persons need to be accompanied by another assisting person who needs to be in possession of a match ticket bought at the standard rates.
Saliba said that around 1,500 tickets are being given free to children from the Football Nurseries.
Match tickets are already on sale. They are obtainable from the MFA offices at Ta’ Qali, Teamsport at L-Iklin, Star Tourist Services at Bugibba, Lion King Stationers in Gwardamanga, Eros Stationers in Paceville and the Matrix stores in Republic Street, Valletta, Main Street of Paola and Skyparts at Malta International Airport.
Saliba said that in collaboration with main sponsors FXDD and Cisk, the MFA is working on an initiative which will lead to the eventual organisation of a Fan Park in the vicinity of the Stadium on the day of the match.
The event is to include activities and entertainment for young and old.
Another initiative will be the Best Dressed Fan/s competition which will be combined with the Fan Park initiative and the match itself.
Group transportation to the Stadium for the match is advised. The MFA is also holding consultations with Police authorities and Arriva – directives are to be issued in the near future.