Phoenix-Galaxy match a hot-ticket item

Wellington  Phoenix FC’s match against the Los Angeles Galaxy is proving a hot-ticket item, with more than 2000 tickets snapped up by Phoenix season members on the first day of sales.



The special match at Westpac Stadium on December 1 will see the new Hyundai A-League club take on American Major League Soccer club the Galaxy, which boasts star recruit David Beckham in its lineup.



Tickets went on sale to more than 2500 Phoenix season members yesterday and most wasted no time booking their seats for the historic match.



“Given that there’s a massive amount of interest in the match and that season members receive priority booking rights as well as significant discounts, we knew that our members would secure their tickets quickly,” said Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata.



“Our season members have priority booking rights until 5pm on Wednesday, October 11. There is also a priority purchase opportunity for Visa cardholders on Monday, October 8, and Tuesday, October 9, before tickets go on sale to the general public from 9am on Monday, October 11.”



Pignata said Wellington Phoenix FC was hoping for a sellout crowd of 35,000 at Westpac Stadium on December 1.



“It will be a huge weekend of football in Wellington, with the Phoenix playing Adelaide United in a Hyundai A-League match on the Friday night before taking on the Galaxy on the Saturday night.



“Best of all, just one ticket will get fans into both matches, so the weekend really is going to be something very special.”



Gold tickets for season members cost $82 and silver tickets $65. There are no concession (senior citizens/children) rates for gold tickets, but there is a concession for silver tickets, valued at $42.



Ticket prices for adult non-Phoenix members start at $82.50 for silver seating, up to $100 for a gold section seat. Again, there is no concession rate for gold section seating, but silver tickets for children and senior citizens will cost $50 each. Tickets go on sale to the general public from 9am on Monday, October 11.



Tickets will be on sale through Ticketek, phone (04)384-2457, and can be purchased via Ticketek agencies, call centres and online.



Complete information on ticketing can be found on Wellington Phoenix FC’s website, www.wellingtonphoenix.com.



Meanwhile, rumours that Beckham would not be able to turn out for the Galaxy against the Phoenix due to a charity match planned in England in early December have been scotched, with confirmation from the American club yesterday that its full-strength squad would travel to Wellington.



“Suggestions that David Beckham would be unavailable to play the Phoenix were simply speculation,” said Pignata. “As per our contractual agreement, LA Galaxy have confirmed they’re coming to Wellington and that David will be playing against the Phoenix on December 1.”