The tickets for Asia’s flagship national team competition went on sale online on Sunday at the push of a button by the Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) Executive Board member Mohammed Mubarak here in the host city.
“Today, we are proud to launch the website for the online ticket sales of our tournament, a most convenient purchasing method which is now used in most international sports championships,” said Mubarak on behalf of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Saoud Al-Mohannadi.
Al-Mohannadi said in a message for the launch: “In co-ordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), this will be the first time that a major sporting event in Qatar has been able to provide its own official online ticket sales service.”
This is also the first time tickets are going on sale almost six months before the kick-off of the tournament proper, which marks a milestone development in promoting the competition to fans in Asia and worldwide.
AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam also urged fans to book their seats early in the five stadiums for their favourite teams.
“AFC is pleased to launch the online ticket sales of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™. You can now start buying your tickets to watch the top 16 teams of Asia in action in Doha from January 7 to 29 next year,” said Bin Hammam.
“The tickets are reasonably priced to give everybody an opportunity to enjoy and maximise the stadium experience. AFC is keen to make the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ an event for the whole family and our ticketing concept is family-friendly."
The AFC Asian Cup’s association with online ticket sales started in the previous edition, which was co-hosted in 2007 by four countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Tickets can be purchased online for all 32 matches from today via AFC’s official website www.the-AFC.com and the official website of the competition, www.afcasiancup.com.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr Athanasios Batsilas, said the system developed by the organizing committee and the AFC is dynamic, effective and user friendly.
“The organisers spared no effort in producing a website that is user friendly – right from the time of purchase to going to the matches.”
The fan purchasing tickets online will receive an immediate confirmation email listing his or her details as well as all details of the purchase. The customer can go with his or her confirmation to any ticket outlet to collect the tickets.
The physical ticket sales in the host country will be launched later this year. At that stage, tickets shall be available on a first-come-first-served basis at select ticket kiosks within the host country.
“We have worked closely with the AFC to provide this dynamic, user friendly service. It will give thousands of fans across the Asian continent the opportunity to reserve their seats nearly six months out from the tournament,” said Al Mohannadi.
“Of course, we are also thinking of our local fans inside Qatar and will be making tickets available through regular ticket outlets. The starting date for these sales will be announced soon and this will be made known through local promotional campaigns,” said the QLOC chief.
Bearing in mind the popularity of the AFC Asian Cup amongst the participating countries, a portion of the tickets for the continental showpiece have been earmarked for travelling fans.
“In addition, the organisers, in collaboration with AFC's marketing partner, are preparing a special package for spectators who are coming from outside Qatar. This package, which will be announced soon, will include air tickets, match tickets and sightseeing tours of Doha and Qatar.” added Al Mohannadi.
The different categories of tickets have been reasonably priced to ensure that they are within the reach of all fans, and AFC will be working closely with the ticketing service provider to ensure smooth sales of tickets and distribution.
“Today, we are proud to launch the website for the online ticket sales of our tournament, a most convenient purchasing method which is now used in most international sports championships,” said Mubarak on behalf of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Saoud Al-Mohannadi.
Al-Mohannadi said in a message for the launch: “In co-ordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), this will be the first time that a major sporting event in Qatar has been able to provide its own official online ticket sales service.”
This is also the first time tickets are going on sale almost six months before the kick-off of the tournament proper, which marks a milestone development in promoting the competition to fans in Asia and worldwide.
AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam also urged fans to book their seats early in the five stadiums for their favourite teams.
“AFC is pleased to launch the online ticket sales of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™. You can now start buying your tickets to watch the top 16 teams of Asia in action in Doha from January 7 to 29 next year,” said Bin Hammam.
“The tickets are reasonably priced to give everybody an opportunity to enjoy and maximise the stadium experience. AFC is keen to make the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ an event for the whole family and our ticketing concept is family-friendly."
The AFC Asian Cup’s association with online ticket sales started in the previous edition, which was co-hosted in 2007 by four countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Tickets can be purchased online for all 32 matches from today via AFC’s official website www.the-AFC.com and the official website of the competition, www.afcasiancup.com.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr Athanasios Batsilas, said the system developed by the organizing committee and the AFC is dynamic, effective and user friendly.
“The organisers spared no effort in producing a website that is user friendly – right from the time of purchase to going to the matches.”
The fan purchasing tickets online will receive an immediate confirmation email listing his or her details as well as all details of the purchase. The customer can go with his or her confirmation to any ticket outlet to collect the tickets.
The physical ticket sales in the host country will be launched later this year. At that stage, tickets shall be available on a first-come-first-served basis at select ticket kiosks within the host country.
“We have worked closely with the AFC to provide this dynamic, user friendly service. It will give thousands of fans across the Asian continent the opportunity to reserve their seats nearly six months out from the tournament,” said Al Mohannadi.
“Of course, we are also thinking of our local fans inside Qatar and will be making tickets available through regular ticket outlets. The starting date for these sales will be announced soon and this will be made known through local promotional campaigns,” said the QLOC chief.
Bearing in mind the popularity of the AFC Asian Cup amongst the participating countries, a portion of the tickets for the continental showpiece have been earmarked for travelling fans.
“In addition, the organisers, in collaboration with AFC's marketing partner, are preparing a special package for spectators who are coming from outside Qatar. This package, which will be announced soon, will include air tickets, match tickets and sightseeing tours of Doha and Qatar.” added Al Mohannadi.
The different categories of tickets have been reasonably priced to ensure that they are within the reach of all fans, and AFC will be working closely with the ticketing service provider to ensure smooth sales of tickets and distribution.
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