FIFA announced on Wednesday that 1,635,136 applications had been received since tickets went on sale on 20 February from fans across 205 countries.
Although there were some complaints from local fans about the difficulties in getting their applications in, the world football governing body said the first phase had gone well.
“This impressive total underlines the extraordinary level of interest all over the globe,” said Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC).
South African residents made around 30% of the 1,635,136 requests for seats.
Of the 70% from the rest of the world, most came from the United States followed by Britain, Germany, Italy and Australia. According to FIFA, the international price starts at US$80 for a seat at a group-stage match.
The most popular requests on the 64-match program were for the opening game on 11 June and the final on 11 July.
Both will be played at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, which is being upgraded to hold 94,700 spectators.
In price terms, the most popular tickets were the category 3 tickets or second-cheapest tickets.
According to FIFA, the cheapest category four tickets are reserved for South African residents.
"It is very pleasing to see the huge global interest in the first African FIFA World Cup," said Dr Jordaan.
Since the first sales phase was on a random-selection, draw basis, applicants will only be told if they were successful after the draw on 15 April.
According to the LOC, applicants will be informed, either via email or SMS, by the end of this month at the latest, letting them know whether their application was successful or not.
In total, around three million purchasable tickets are available for the tournament, which is being held next year for the first time on the African continent.
The second of five ticket sales begins on 4 May. In that phase, tickets will then be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dr Jordaan urged South Africans to get their tickets as soon as the second phase ticket sale begins.
"We want to encourage even more South Africans and Africans to apply for their World Cup tickets during the next sales phase, so they do not miss out on this unique once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said.
In phase three, all applications will be considered and if the demand exceeds availability a random draw will take place.
Allocations in phase four will happen on a first come first served basis, while the last phase will see ticket transactions taking place at the point of sale.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
