Two months away from the highly-anticipated World Cup qualifier between Malta and England, the Malta Football Association yesterday officially launched the ticket sales for the September 1 match at the National Stadium.
Addressing the media during the launching, Norman Saliba, the Malta FA Head of Marketing, underlined that ticket sales will remain open until match day unless the stadium is sold out prior to the game.
“We are aware of the high demand that there will be for this huge match, considering that there is a special relationship between Maltese and English fans, and it won’t be a surprise if the match will be sold out long time before the date itself,” he told reporters.
Besides the usual points of sale, tickets can be also purchased online but it will be only available to persons who own a Maltese ID, or are spouses or relatives of Maltese citizens.
In a bid to attract more ticket sales, the MFA is also offering a bundle offer comprised of MFA merchandise together with every ticket bought from the association’s offices.
Local fans are eligible to purchase tickets for West C, where seating will be allocated, at the prize of €60, and at Millenium D and Millenium F for €40.
The South End will also be open for Maltese fans with ticket prices set at €20. Here a system of free seating will be applied.
All goal card holders will be allowed access into the stadium according to their seating.
Saliba also noted that children under the age of 12 will be seated at the South Stand while there will be a limited number of spaces at West A, Millenium D and Millenium F for persons who make use of a wheelchair.
In the light of the recent Trophy Lounge unveiling by the MFA, this match will also included in the package that has been offered , since it falls under the category of international matches.
Saliba also said that the customary Fan Park, which is usually set up by the Malta FA for international matches is unlikely to be staged this time around.
“During our discussions with the members of the Police Force, we were informed that it would be much better if people without a ticket are kept away from the stadium,” Saliba said.
“That means that it’s highly unlikely that we will set up a fan park for the Malta-England match.”
English fans will have access to North Stand if they purchase their tickets directly from the England FA or if they prefer to purchase it personally.
They will be allowed access to West A from the point of sales or through an online request on presentation of their passport as an identification documents.
While all tickets are non-refundable, this time around the MFA is providing an optional protection after tying up a deal with a major UK insurance company which will provide the buyer full refund if he is forced to miss out due to health reasons.