Sports | Sunday 29 July, 2018 12:29 pm |

Ticket sales for one of the most eagerly-anticipated spectacles in world football - the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 TM - will go live tomorrow at 12pm (Gulf Standard Time) on the-afc.com. After a record-setting group stage performance by Asian teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia TM, the eyes of the football world now turn towards the UAE from January 5 – February 1, 2019 and will see Saudi Arabia compete in Group E against Qatar, Lebanon and North Korea in their opening three games of the tournament.

 

The expanded competition, which is set to welcome an unprecedented 24 teams – eight more than the previous 2015 edition – will take place across eight world-class stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah, and promises to engage more fans than ever before in the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the region.

 

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC ‘s Vision and Mission outlined our ambitions to provide world-class platforms for our teams, players and passionate fans. 

 

“The launch of ticket sales is an important milestone and the UAE is the perfect host nation to unite the Asian football family. I am confident that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will provide the ultimate stage to showcase Asia’s remarkable talent and engage and excite more fans than ever before.

 

“In the LOC, we have a trusted partner who share our ambitions of Bringing Asia Together and to deliver the most competitive and accessible AFC Asian Cup to date.”

 

Ticket prices for the competition have been set to allow as many people as possible—from the millions of Asians already residing in the UAE to the 2 billion living within a four-hour flight—to come and experience the thrill of top-class, live international football.

 

Speaking on the launch of tickets for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019TM, Vice Chairman of the Higher Local Organising Committee, H.E Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi said: “The UAE is honoured to be hosting the most-expansive, most-inclusive AFC Asian Cup in history. More teams promise more goals, more action and more drama, and we are confident that our long pedigree of hosting world-class sporting events has prepared us to offer an unsurpassed fan experience for football fans and first-timers alike. 

 

“Moreover, the Local Organising Committee promises to deliver not just the biggest tournament in the region’s history, but the best. And this will begin with the Asian communities already living in the UAE that are prepared to rally and support their national teams at this exciting, once-in-a-lifetime event. There is no better place to embody the tournament motto of “Bringing Asia Together” than right here in the UAE.”

 

As part of the exciting build-up to ticket sales, a special launch event saw His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee and children from across the UAE enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at the iconic Zayed Sports City Stadium, where the opener and final of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be staged. 

 

The event demonstrated the unprecedented scale of the tournament as children held each other’s arm representing the cause of this edition, against a backdrop of a giant ticket, symbolising the sheer scale of the tournament that is coming to the Emirates.

 

Speaking on the launch of tickets for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019TM,HE Aref Hamad Al Awani, Tournament Director commented:"The UAE through high mission which represents peace, tolerance, happiness, and openness, welcomes all teams and all nationals of the Asian continent to attend and watch this big continental event, which brings 24 teams together for the first time. This great participation is a big focus for the Higher Local Committee as it reflects the potential of the UAE and its great capabilities in organizing the biggest and most important global and continental sporting events.” 

 

He continued:

 

“The announcement of the general ticket sale is a proof that the countdown has started, and the preparations are going on the right path. The Organizing Committee continues its efforts and preparations in order to launch the event in the best possible way and the meeting of children from different cultures during the launch of ticket sales reflects the spirit of unity in the tournament."

 

For ticket categories please see the table below.

 

Ticket Categories

MATCHES		CATEGORIES
		CAT3	CAT2	CAT1
GROUP STAGE		AED 25	AED 50	AED 75
ROUND 16		AED 25	AED 50	AED 75
QUARTER-FINALS		AED 50	AED 75	AED 150
SEMI-FINALS		AED 50	AED 75	AED 150
FINAL		AED 75	AED 150	AED 300

*Fees not included

 

Travel Packages

This is a great time to visit the UAE, as the country offers the ideal mix of scenic splendour and cosmopolitan sophistication. State-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class entertainment and breath-taking cultural monuments rise amidst the palm trees and natural attractions of the varied desert terrain, leaving visitors with plenty to see and do.

 

Ticket Categories

MATCHES		CATEGORIES
		CAT3	CAT2	CAT1
GROUP STAGE		AED 25	AED 50	AED 75
QUARTER-FINALS		AED 50	AED 75	AED 150
SEMI-FINALS		AED 50	AED 75	AED 150
FINAL		AED 75	AED 150	AED 300

 

This is a great time to visit the UAE, as the country offers the ideal mix of scenic splendour and cosmopolitan sophistication. State-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class entertainment and breath-taking cultural monuments rise amidst the palm trees and natural attractions of the varied desert terrain, leaving visitors with plenty to see and do.

Emirates Holidays is the official tour operator for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. Fans outside of the UAE can take advantage of the tournament travel packages starting from SAR 2,020 per person for the unique opportunity to see their team compete against Asia’s best teams this January. To book your packages and for more information please contact your local Emirates Holidays office or call on 8008449118 or 8008500021.