Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
LOCAL CRICKET fans will have to find between $975 to $8,450 to watch World Cup matches at Sabina Park next year.
In prices quoted in US dollars, people will have to pay between US$15 (J$975) for a category three seat during the preliminary round up to US$130 (J$8,450) for a category one seat at the semi-final.
Seats at the opening ceremony scheduled for the new stadium in Trelawny will cost between US$50 (J$3,500) to US$120 (J$7,800). All these figures were calculated at Monday's exchange rate and will more likely change by the time ticket sales open on May 1.
Meanwhile, public tickets will go on sale online (www.cricketworldcup.com) on May 1 from 11:00 a.m. Ticket centres across the region will open the following day.
This process has been classified as phase one and, like online application requirements, persons going to the ticket centres will have to fill out a four-page application form, which still doesn't guarantee a ticket.
Unlike previous international matches, persons won't know where they will be seated until their applications have been approved.
Roxanne Morris, manager of commercial operations of the Jamaica Local Organising Committee (LOC), said persons will not know where they will sit until the end of August as it's a process to give everyone an "equal opportunity".
"During August the tickets will be allocated and by the end of August persons will be advised if they were allocated a seat," Morris said.
The second phase, which runs from September 1-November 30, is first come, first served.
"Anyone can apply during this time. Once tickets are available, we will know if they will be able to get a ticket or not," explained Morris.
Between December 1 and January 2007 all ticket sales will be closed and specific seats will be assigned. After which the third phase bowls off where persons can determine which stand they want to watch from - if seats are available.
Unlike the previous stages where one will have to apply and wait, in the final phase, persons will be allowed to walk out with their tickets.
This phase runs into the tournament and during that time tickets will be sold from the ticket centres, the website and also from perimeter box offices or the venue box office. These locations will be set up inside and outside the stadiums.
Payment can be made by cash, debit or credit cards, but if you wish to buy tickets online, Visa or MasterCard are the only avenues for payment.
Also of importance, only four tickets will be available per person per match, but two persons from one household can apply for a maximum of eight tickets.
As for the warm-up matches, the maximum amount of tickets one can apply for is eight. This application requires the purchaser's name, address, ID number, contact information, order summary, delivery option, location where you want to watch the match and seat category (which will determine cost) and the match you want to watch.
Jamaica's ticket centre, which is presently being upgraded, is located at 51 and 52 Kingston Mall (formerly Cable & Wireless Office), UDC Complex at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Orange Street.
"We believe this is a strategic location. It overlooks the water front and has a panoramic view of the Kingston Harbour," Morris said.
The price to watch matches at Sabina Park ranges from US$15-US$130 while between US$200-US$300 will be charged to watch the final in Barbados.
SABINA PARK MATCH PRICES
| Match 1: | West Indies vs Pakistan | US$100 (Cat. 1); US$70 (Cat. 2); US$25 (Cat. 3); US$90 (Cat. Party Stand). |
| Match 2: | Zimbabwe vs Ireland | US$50 (Cat. 1); US$30 (Cat. 2); US$15 (Cat. 3); US$50 (Cat. Party Stand). |
| Match 3: | Pakistan vs Ireland | US$50 (Cat. 1); US$30 (Cat. 2); US$15 (Cat. 3); US$50 (Cat. Party Stand). |
| Match 4: | West Indies vs Zimbabwe | US$90 (Cat. 1); US$55 (Cat. 2); US$25 (Cat. 3); US$80 (Cat. Party Stand). |
| Match 5: | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan | US$50 (Cat. 1); US$30 (Cat. 2); US$15 (Cat. 3); US$50 (Cat. Party Stand). |
| Match 6: | West Indies vs Ireland | US$90 (Cat. 1); US$55 (Cat. 2); US$25 (Cat. 3); US$80 (Cat. Party Stand). |
Semi-final One: US$130 (Cat. 1); US$90 (Cat. 2); US$50 (Cat. 3); US$130 (Cat. Party Stand).
Warm-up matches: US$20 (Cat. 1); US$15 (Cat. 2); US$10 (Cat 3); US$40 (Party Stand).
Opening Ceremony: US$120 (Cat. 1); US$80 (Cat. 2); US$50 (Cat. 3).
