Football: Early-birds fuel ticket stampede

Ticket sale progress so far has impressed Auckland and Whangarei venue general manager Aaron Hamilton. Photo / John Stone

Toll Stadium is expected to be one of the first venues sold out for next year's Fifa Under-20 World Cup, with early-bird venue packs being snapped up fast.

More than 25,000 tickets have been sold nationally in three months through venue packs, which sees a 5 per cent cash back rebate offered on purchases through clubs - as well as an early-bird discount.

The rebate is part of the local organising committee's legacy pledge to grassroots support and growth across the game.

Ticket sale progress - and club rebates - so far has impressed Auckland and Whangarei venue general manager Aaron Hamilton, especially when the tournament is still nine months away.

"The level of interest from clubs in Whangarei and the Northland region has been outstanding and to date," he said.

"Almost $2000 has been raised by clubs in this region through our cash back scheme.

"The level of interest is such that we are also close to exhausting the allocation of Category A tickets for the Northland Events Centre.

"This is a result of the efforts the clubs are putting in to promote the current venue pack offer where prices start at $26 (child) and $76 (adult) to attend all four matches in Whangarei."

In total 14 Northland clubs will receive the club rebate - with Tikipunga, Central Brown, Kamo, Kerikeri, and Onerahi being the top five clubs to get in on the offer.

Other clubs to receive rebates are Whangarei, Marist, Ngunguru, Mad Hatters, North Force, Bay Cosmos, Mangawhai, Bream Bay, and the Parua Bay Tigers.

Hamilton added while visiting clubs in Northland it was exciting to see clubs promoting the tournament and driving for a five per cent rebate.

"The fact that we are close to exhausting that allocation of Category A tickets is testament to the great work the clubs are putting in promoting this offer."

Local organising committee chief executive officer Dave Beeche said nationally the rebate tally had reached $25,000, adding it seemed logical for club members to get in early and in turn give back to their clubs.