May 25th, 2010 by Phil Lythell

The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and despite claims of high expense and opportunism on the black market there are still plenty of tickets to go round at affordable prices.

South Africa 2010 promises to be a truly unque occasion. It will be the first World Cup to be played on African soil and the enthusiasm with which this part of the world has embraced the tournament is unbounded.

The Rainbow Nation will be awash with colour and the noise from the vuvuzuelas that dominate the air at local matches and will be unlike any atmosphere experienced at previous editions of the world’s greatest sporting event. Any football fan who also enjoys a party should make sure that they are involved.

But many supporters have been put off by expensive flights and high ticket prices despite the fact that this could not be further from the truth.

Seats are still available to every single match in the tournament including the opening ceremony and tickets to the World Cup final itself – available from £671, incidentally. Even better news is that prices are dropping all the time.

Three months ago if you wanted to get a ticket to England v USA in Rustenburg you would have paid over £300. Now that same ticket is going for £113.

Likewise, tickets to England v Algeria in Cape Town on June 18. Prices were £280, now they are available from £111. Meanwhile, their final group match – England v Slovenia in the beach resort of Port Elizabeth can be attended for just £85.

Paying around £100 to see a football match may, on the face of it, seem a little expensive  but considering the quality on show, the sense of occasion and the possibility of witnessing a little piece of England football history, it is by no means outlandish especially when you can pay that much to watch a Premier League game.

Even if England isn’t your team or you just want ot be part of football’s big party there are plenty of reasonably priced tickets to watch other teams. Tickets to Brazil v Ivory Coast in Johannesburg – surely the most attractive match of the group stage – can be obtained from £85.

As for flights, you can get a return flight to Johannesburg for just £611 that gets you to South Africa in time for England’s first group game and returns you back to London after their match against Slovenia. Factor in hotel room rates that are constantly being slashed and suddenly the trip of a lifetime seems well within your grasp.

This could be the most vibrant and exotic World Cup to date and it can be done – if not exactly on a shoestring – at a relatively favourable cost.

I’m going and I think you should too.