* MATCH Hospitality announces pre-sales of $90mn
* Official hospitality packages for Qatar World Cup 2022 now available globally via http://FIFA.com/hospitality
MATCH Hospitality (MATCH), the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the FIFA Hospitality Programme, yesterday announced that pre-sales for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hospitality programme had reached a “record” $90mn.
“Our pre-sales performance for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been record-breaking. We have already surpassed what we achieved in the first month of sales for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, which to date has been our most commercially successful hospitality operation,” MATCH executive chairman Jaime Byrom told Gulf Times.
Byrom noted that the amount sets another FIFA World Cup record, far exceeding sales targets secured by MATCH for the equivalent sales agent tender processes it conducted in connection with the tournaments in Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018).
MATCH conducted the pre-sale purchase, which was offered to FIFA’s commercial affiliates and select groups. It is the only company appointed by FIFA to exclusively promote and sell of?cial ticket-inclusive commercial hospitality packages for 2022 tournament, which can be purchased from February 1 at FIFA.com/hospitality
According to Byrom, MATCH concluded its worldwide sales agent tender process, appointing 27 agents across 39 territories who collectively committed financially to sales targets exceeding $260mn.
“We are delighted to confirm that demand for the FIFA World Cup is stronger than ever. The remarkable global response we have had to our pre-sales and the enthusiasm and professionalism with which our long-standing sales agents have responded to our invitation to tender has further cemented our belief that despite the unprecedented events of recent months due to the global pandemic, there remains unwavering enthusiasm and interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme,” he said in a statement.
“Qatar promises to deliver an amazing tournament that will capitalise on its principal attributes; the close proximity of its eight stadiums which are all located in or within a short driving distance of Doha, a fascinating region with unique attractions, spectacular state-of-the-art stadiums, and traditional Arabic hospitality,” he added.
“The unique attributes of this FIFA World Cup will enable MATCH to deliver a truly ground-breaking and unprecedented hospitality experience.”
Official sales agents are authorised by MATCH to sell ticket-inclusive official hospitality packages and, on an optional basis, travel packages, including accommodation, flights, ground transportation and other travel services.
According to MATCH, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Hospitality Programme will offer guests hospitality packages, which include official match tickets and a wide range of on-site services at the stadiums.
Gourmet catering, preferential parking, entertainment and gifts, as well as additional ancillary services, including accommodation and air transportation, form part of the services.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC chief executive Nasser al-Khater said: “The launch of global hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 brings us another step closer to delivering an extraordinary tournament in just under two years’ time.
“We have always said that Qatar 2022 will set new global benchmarks for the delivery of mega-events, and hospitality is no exception.”
“Making guests welcome and feel entirely at home is a central tenet of Arab and Middle Eastern culture; alongside our partners, we look forward to greeting our fans and visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they come to Qatar, and help them make memories they will never forget,” he added.
In a statement, FIFA’s Commercial Revenue director Nick Brown said: “We are delighted to see such extraordinary interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when following challenging times, the world can come together for a global festival of football.”
MATCH has the exclusive right to deliver onsite hospitality services in private suites, lounges and temporary structures located within the security perimeter next to the stadium bowls.
MATCH offers a range of hospitality experiences in the luxury, business and leisure categories which cater to individual client preferences, needs and budgets.
MATCH, whose portfolio includes other major high-profile sports events, is based in Zurich with offices in Doha, London, Manchester, Dublin, Valencia, Moscow, Johannesburg, and Rio de Janeiro.
