Ugandans to profit from ticket price reductions
Twelfth man. Uganda fans cheering the team during a match in Namboole stadium. Uganda will face Egypt in what could potentially be the two sides most important game in one of the final matches of Group A. Photo by Eddie Chicco
What you need to know:
- The North African nation devalued their currency and slashed subsidies in order to receive a $12 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2016 which has seen the cost of living skyrocket.
KAMPALA. Uganda fans intending to go to Cairo, Egypt to watch Cranes make their seventh Africa Cup of Nations finals can now smile after fares for the general ticket were slashed.
This followed a public outcry in Egypt after the prices were first announced two weeks.
But now organisers of the tournament say they have slashed the cheapest Afcon ticket price to allow locals to enjoy the cream of the continent.
The slashed fares, however, apply only on the general ticket for Egypt’s group matches, which - even after the latest reductions - are still priced higher (by Shs11,017) than other group games.
Tickets for the Egyptian national team’s matches were initially priced at $11.71 (Shs44,183) for the cheapest coupon, while the most expensive went for $146.38 (Shs552,306).
“The organising committee has decided to reduce the price of general admission tickets for Egypt’s matches in the first round for the competition from 200 to 150 pounds (Shs33,127),” organizers posted on Twitter.
The latest reductions will save each fan Shs11,056 on every match coupon.
“It’s very clear they want numbers in the Stadium as there are three stadiums being used in Cairo during the tournament,” said Ahmed Hussein, the Fufa head of communications.
“But the reduction will give our fans a chance to purchase the tickets at a lower fee, hence improved numbers in the stands.”
The development is said to have also been informed by the hard economic times in Egypt.
The North African nation devalued their currency and slashed subsidies in order to receive a $12 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2016 which has seen the cost of living skyrocket.
Egypt will host the competition for the fifth time this June and July, with 24 teams participating for the first time in an expanded format.
The Pharoahs were chosen as hosts ahead of South Africa in a hastily arranged bidding process to replace Cameroon. Uganda face Egypt in what could potentially be the two sides most important game in one of the final matches of Group A.
Elsewhere, the two Cranes teams, one preparing for Afcon and another Cosafa, continue drills through the weekend.
Sebastien Desabre’s senior team continue training at Namboole and Lugogo while coach Abdallah Mubiru’s Cosafa-bound take on Western Regional Select in Bushenyi.
Original pricing
For Egypt national team games:
$11.71 (Shs44,183) - Category 3
$23.42 (Shs88,366) - Category 2
$35.14 (Shs132,586) - Category 1
$29.28 (Shs110,476) - upper Category 1
$146.38 (Shs552,306) - the presidential box
What has changed?
General ticket (category 3) of $11.71
(Shs44,183) is now $8.78 (Shs33,127)
Savings: Shs11,056
Charges for other games remain as earlier announced
$5.86 (Shs22,110) - Category 3
$17.57 (Shs66,293) - Category 2
$29.28 (Shs110,476) - Category 1
