The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) is fast approaching and football fans don’t want to miss the opportunity to witness this iconic event. Online ticketing for CAN 2024 in Ivory Coast opened on Saturday November 11 and tickets are selling like hot cakes.
In less than an hour, all the tickets in the “first batch” were sold, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) website. This strong demand surprised many Internet users who were unable to secure a place despite their diligence.
One might wonder if this is a marketing strategy to generate excitement or if there is really a rush for tickets. CAF did not specify the number of tickets available in this first batch. However, a source within the CAN 2024 Organizing Committee (Cocan) said that “15% of tickets for the opening match” have been sold.
Many Internet users have shared their purchasing experience on social networks. Some experienced long wait times or declined payment issues. Others paid for their ticket without receiving an email confirmation. Cocan officials want to be reassuring by affirming that any dispute can be resolved using the information available in their database.
CAF has implemented a hybrid ticketing system for CAN 2024. In total, nearly one and a half million tickets are available, with prices ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 CFA francs. Only 15% of tickets are on sale online, the others will be sold in physical locations from December 13. Town halls and post offices are preferred points of sale. It is important to note that no tickets will be sold at the stadium on match days.
The stadium occupancy rate is a major issue for the host country. During previous editions in Egypt in 2019 and Cameroon in 2021, many matches were played in front of almost empty stadiums, which sparked controversy. However, the situation in Egypt was particular due to the security context, while the health protocol linked to the Covid-19 pandemic in Cameroon deterred many supporters. The success of the women’s champions league currently organized in Korhogo and San Pedro in Ivory Coast suggests a strong attendance for the CAN 2024 matches.
In conclusion, online ticketing for CAN 2024 in Ivory Coast has seen significant enthusiasm, with all tickets from the first batch sold in less than an hour. This high demand reflects the excitement of football fans who do not want to miss this major event. CAF continues to work on resolving purchasing issues encountered by some Internet users and is also offering ticket sales in physical locations from December 13. Let’s hope that this competition will be a success, with full stadiums and an electric atmosphere.