Phoenix-Galaxy game to go free-to-air with TVNZ

Football fans unable to be at Westpac Stadium to watch the Wellington Phoenix take on the LA Galaxy – featuring star recruit David Beckham – will be able to watch the match on free-to-air television courtesy of a deal struck by the capital club and TVNZ.



TVNZ has been awarded host broadcast rights for the match in the capital on Saturday, December 1, and will screen the big event live on TV ONE from 7pm.



Wellington Phoenix FC chief executive Tony Pignata said the arrangement with TVNZ was a great result for football fans in New Zealand.



“Although more than 30,000 people are likely to be at Westpac Stadium in Wellington to be part of the historic match, the club believes it’s important to ensure everyone in New Zealand has the chance to watch the game in what will be a massive weekend for sport in this country.



“TVNZ’s reach and accessibility means that people from Cape Reinga to the Bluff will be able to witness this extraordinary occasion, when the Phoenix play the star-studded Galaxy. This match promises to be one of the biggest sporting occasions in this country for a long, long time and we’re delighted that our arrangement with TVNZ will allow us to share the excitement with the entire country.”



TVNZ general manager of sport Murray Needham said the broadcast on TV ONE would be a tremendous boost for football’s profile in New Zealand.



“We see this occasion as a very special opportunity for all sports fans to see one of the world’s football superstars in action in this country.”



Meanwhile, more than 11,000 tickets for the Phoenix-Galaxy match have already been sold during an exclusive pre-buy period for Wellington Phoenix season members and Visa card holders.



The price of the Phoenix-Galaxy ticket also includes entry to the Phoenix’s Hyundai A-League 2007/08 round 15 match against Adelaide United on Friday, November 1, making for a bumper weekend of football in the capital.



Visa card holders have one more day – Wednesday, October 10 – to secure their seats for the football extravaganza before tickets go on sale to the general public from 9am on Thursday, October 11.



Pignata said the demand for tickets had been staggering.



“To be at Westpac Stadium in Wellington to watch the Phoenix take on Adelaide on November 30 before playing David Beckham and the Galaxy the following evening will be a one-off opportunity to be part of football history in this country, and I think a lot of people have recognised just how exciting the weekend will be.”



Gold tickets for Wellington Phoenix 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 are 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.