ICC goes for public ballot process for mega match tickets

The ICC today announced the process for the public sale of tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-finals in Colombo and Mohali on 29 and 30 March, respectively and the final to be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April.

When the tickets were initially programmed to go on sale on 21 February the demand was so great that the website was overloaded.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, announced today in Bengaluru that there will be a public ballot system similar to that which is used in the majority of global sporting events. The ballot will open on Monday 28 February.

Mr Lorgat said: “It was most unfortunate and no blame should be directed at Kyazoonga, the ICC’s official ticketing partner, as no one could have anticipated that tens of millions people would be trying to access the site an hour before it went live. In truth Kyazoonga have been an innocent third party in all the issues we have had with ticketing.

“In conjunction with the hosts, we have now agreed that a ballot system is the best means of releasing any available tickets for the semis and final. The high demand clearly proves the massive attraction of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and format of 50 overs cricket.”  In dismissing media perceptions about a letter addressed to ICC President Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr Lorgat added: “To help resolve our ticketing challenges we have also engaged the offices of the ICC President Mr Pawar to assist us as he has done with several other issues related to World Cup planning.”  Mr Lorgat also reflected on the fact that two contractors had been arrested in Sri Lanka for selling tickets on the black market.

Mr Lorgat said: “We will support and encourage the actions of Sri Lanka Cricket in having such persons arrested for black market selling. It must serve as a warning that we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who abuses the system and sells tickets illegally.”

The ballot process is as follows:

STEP ONE

You may apply for the ICC CWC 2011 Ticket Public Ballot from 28 February 2011 to 6 March 2011.

You need to fill in a the Public Ballot application form at http://cwc2011ballot.kyazoonga.com

A ticket limit of two tickets per applicant applies. Only one application per person. Please do not submit more than one form: Kyazoonga will void your applications.

STEP TWO

You will receive a Ballot Confirmation Number once you complete and submit your application. No up-front payment is required at this stage.

STEP THREE

Please read and follow the instructions carefully before completing the form. If you break any of the rules all tickets you may be offered will be cancelled.

All Ballot applications must be submitted no later than 6 March 2011.

STEP FOUR

The draw will be made by computer on 10 March 2011 and successful applicants will be informed by email on 11 March 2011. If you have not heard from Kyazoonga by 12 March 2011, please assume that your application was not successful in the ballot.

STEP FIVE

Successful applicants will be able to pay for their tickets through Kyazoonga’s secure payment processing website where they will be shown the transaction amount and asked to pay online using credit card/debit card/net-banking. If your transaction is not successful, your place in the draw will be offered to the next polled applicant from the draw.

STEP SIX

Upon successful payment completion, you will receive a confirmation page and email. Please print the page and keep the email. You will receive your tickets from the third week of March 2011.