Monday, January 25, 2010

What is the cost of World Cup glory?

Research carried out by Virgin Money has estimated that the cost for an England fan to see England play in South Africa could be as much as £6000.

The calculations and resulting figure were based on flights, 3 star accomodation, match ticket prices, food, drink and transport within South Africa. Grant Bather of Virgin Money who carried out the research estimates that the cost of watchig all 3 of Englands group matches will be £2,445, rising to £3,108 should England qualify for the last 16.

If England succeed in making it to the Quarter Final stage the cost of seeing all those matches could rise by another £800 with the total cost of seeing England play their first game vs the USA all the way to the final (should they make it) estimated at £6,399.

This could mean that if all 50,000 travelling fans expected make it to South Africa they could produce a total expenditure of £319 million.

Mr Bather was quoted as saying “Fans would probably say that £6,399 to see John Terry lift the World Cup would be worth paying. But with up to 50,000 England fans flying out the costs will certainly mount up. A World Cup win will last for ever but you don’t want the debts to last for ever as well.”

However, the good news is that only those fans from South Africa itself or France will pay less to see their teams with Australian fans hoping to experience World Cup glory having to pay the most at an estimated £10,000. Strewth!