With just 47 days to go for Malta’s prestigious World Cup home qualifier against Italy, the Malta FA yesterday launched the sale of tickets for the Group B match which will be played at the National Stadium on March 26.
Around 1,500 seats have already been sold through the Goal Card scheme and corporate agreements and Malta FA CEO Bjorn Vassallo is in no doubt that the remaining 15,000 tickets will be snapped up by local football fans.
“Having a popular team like Italy playing at the National Stadium is no doubt a huge attraction for all supporters in Malta,” Vassallo told a news conference.
“At the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, the MFA issued the Goal Card scheme to give football enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the home matches of the national team, including that against Italy, at a very reasonable price. The initiative was very positive as over 1,000 cards have been purchased.
“In the coming weeks, we will continue our drive to lure more fans to watch our team face Italy. Given Italy’s popularity, I don’t think it will be difficult to have a full house on the day but our aim is to ensure that whoever makes it to the stadium, will enjoy the experience to the full.”
Vassallo said that Malta’s excellent showing against Northern Ireland was a clear indication that the national team, under Pietro Ghedin, is slowly reaching higher performance levels.
“Malta’s effort against Northern Ireland was further proof that the work being carried out by our technical staff and the players is starting to reap dividends,” Vassallo said.
“It seems that gone are the days when our team were only concerned about not conceding.
“A goalless draw against Northern Ireland is a positive result but many were of the opinion that it was unfortunate that our team failed to get the goal that would have brought a deserved victory.”
MFA marketing manager Norman Saliba gave details of the ticket prices for the Italy match. Tickets for West A and C (enclosure) upper are priced at €75 and €60 for the lower section. These tickets will be on allocated seating.
Millennium Stand seats cost €30 while spectators in the north and south stands will be charged €20.
Tickets for children under-12 cost €15 for the Millennium Stand and €10 for the north and south stands.
The Malta FA will also allocate 1,500 tickets to local nurseries.
Saliba said that, in the run-up to the Malta-Italy game, the national team players will visit a number of schools to get closer to young fans. He also announced that a Fan Park will be set up on matchday to provide entertainment to the fans.
Tickets for the Malta-Italy match can be purchased from the Malta FA and a number of outlets namely, TeamSport, Iklin, Start Tourist Service, Buġibba, Lion King Stationers, Gwardamangia, Eros Stationers, Paceville and Matrix in Valletta, Paola and the Malta International Airport.
One can also buy tickets online from www.mfa.com.mt or www.MaltaTicket.com.