Tickets for Malta vs Italy go on sale

Details regarding the sale of tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Italy in programme on March 26 at the National Stadium, kick-off at 20:45, were revealed during a press conference at the Press Conference Room at the National Stadium on Thursday.

MFA Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Vassallo opened his speech by praising the team for the fine performance against Northern Ireland and said this was a clear proof that the team is showing progress not only against teams who are more or less on the same level as ourselves but also against teams which are better like the Irish. Vassallo said this was the result of the work of the MFA Technical Centre, national coach Pietro Ghedin and the rest of the technical staff

Vassallo said the association worked hard in terms of marketing. The MFA was also determined to change the mentality with regards to playing for the national team as players had to understand that it was an honour to play for the national team. He said the association wanted to drive this mentality in the young players

The association wanted to bring the national team closer to the general public but attendances are still what one would expect. Bjorn Vassallo defended the decision to broadcast national team matches live on TV as he said that those who do not attend the National Stadium could still feel close to the national team.

The Goal Card initiative was meant to give an incentive to the public to secure the tickets for World Cup qualifiers and the Italy game in particular. He said that around one thousand Goal Cards have been sold and considering the corporate tickets, around a third of the 17,011 tickets are already taken.

MFA Head of Marketing Norman Saliba said the Italy game should attract one of the highest attendances. For this reason, tickets went on sale on Thursday.

All sectors of the National Stadium will be opened for the match. West Stand A will be reserved for visiting fans. While West Stand A, B and C will be on allocated seating, Millennium Stand D and F and the North and South Stands will be on a free seating basis.

Ticket prices are as follows:
West Stand A and C (Upper) – €75
West Stand A and C (Lower) – €60
Millennium Stand D and F – €30
North Stand – €20
South Stand – €20

Children under the age of twelve pay €15 for the Millennium Stand and €10 for the North and South Stand. There are a limited number of places in the Millennium Stand for wheelchair bound persons. These will be admitted free of charge but they have to be accompanied by a person who is in possession of a match ticket bought at the standard rates.

Tickets are available from:
MFA Headquarters – Ta’ Qali
Teamsport – Iklin
Star Tourist Services – Bugibba
Lion King Stationery – Paceville
Matrix – Republic Street Valletta; Main Street Paola and Skypark MIA
www.mfa.com.mt
www.maltaticket.com

Tickets will only available at the gates in case these are not sold out earlier.

Meanwhile as part of the build-up for game, the Malta Football Association together with main sponsors FXDD and Cisk will be organising a Fan Park on match day. The idea behind this initiative is to encourage more people to arrive early for the game and gather in the vicinities of the stadium. Various activities will be held and fans will be able to acquire national team and sponsors’ merchandise. There will be stalls of the national team sponsors and partners.

The association is inviting third parties who might be interested in participating in the Fan Park to approach the MFA Marketing Department on norman.saliba@mfa.com.mt or 23386280.

Another initiative will be the Best Dressed Fan/s competition which will be combined with the An Park initiative and the match itself. The main objective is to encourage local fans to wear the national team colours for the game. Fans can participate by sending their photos taken during the Fan Park event or inside or outside the stadium on the day. The public will then vote the winner.

Visits to schools will continue and next Wedensday, national team players will visit the Sacred Heart Convent. Another two visits are planned for February 28 and March 14.