The ticket scramble for sporting events in 2006 is already well under way. However, never fear, Philip Reid explains how you can still secure a golden ticket for some of the big upcoming events
The exact figure for the number of Irish-based golf fans who sought and acquired tickets for the Ryder Cup is not known, as due to European Union law the random lottery was an entirely open one. However, European Tour officials, who decided to create extra categories by introducing one-day and two-day tickets rather than purely season ones in order to increase the odds of applicants, were "very pleased" with the result.
To interpret this, the Irish didn't do at all badly from the public lottery and, all in all, it means that a large, passionate Irish crowd will make the shindig at The K Club one to remember. Just in case those who haven't got tickets are tempted to somehow find a way in, some 2.7km of perimeter fencing will be erected around the course!
In an Irish sporting context, a Ryder Cup ticket will be the hottest item of the year; and probably one of the most in demand anywhere in the world of sport. If you haven't succeeded in acquiring one, fear not - there are other golf tournaments taking place in Ireland this year.
The Irish Open returns to the Montgomerie Course at Carton House on May 18th-21st, while the European Open takes place on the Smurfit Course (on the other side of the Liffey to the Ryder Cup course) on July 6th-9th. Tickets can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.ie.
In terms of the majors, the most accessible for Irish golf fans is of course the British Open, which takes place at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, on July 20th-23rd. Just in case you'd thought of going further afield, tickets for the US Masters are not sold to the public (they're available to "patrons"), while the US Open at Winged Foot is already sold-out.
Hoylake has been off the British Open rota since 1967, but it is also the scene of the only Irish capture of the claret jug when Fred Daly triumphed there in 1947. Could the major's return there be an omen? Advance tickets for the Open are available to purchase on the R&A website - www.randa.org - with season tickets available for £150 (221), although payment is required before January 31st to avail of this offer.
Daily tickets are available for £50 (74), while those who want to splash out may consider the Composite Ticket (including reserved parking) which offers access to the R&A Club Marquee, access to the course and a reserved grandstand seat for £500 (€736).
The R&A offer free entry to the course for juveniles (under-16s) and advance tickets can be obtained prior to the championship by applying in writing to: The Ticket Office, R&A, St Andrews, Fife KY169JD, Scotland. A photocopy of a birth certificate or a letter from the applicant's school or golf club must accompany the application.
The All-England Club are also very democratic in the way that tickets are issued. Approximately 6,000 ground tickets are available at the gate each day of the tennis championship - which takes place on June 26th-July 9th - with around 500 of these retained for the Centre Court and Number One and Number Two Courts.
The majority of tickets, though, are sold in advance through a public ballot (unfortunately, the closing date for this was December 15th last).
If the Monaco Grand Prix is traditionally the hottest ticket in Formula 1, it seems the 2006 Barcelona Grand Prix on May 14th could well rival it this year simply for the fact that it marks the return home of world champion Fernando Alonso.
Many of the main stand tickets are already sold out, but there are still some race day tickets available for the East Stand at €280 or, if you want to push the boat out, three-day hospitality packages are available at 2,935 on www.f1-tickets.com.
As ever, the Cheltenham Festival which takes place on March 14th-17th will lead to an exodus of Irish racegoers. Newbridge Travel (045-449522) have a number of three and four-night packages ranging from €525 to 1,400 and have also decided to operate a one-day trip (325 excluding taxes) on Gold Cup day that includes entry to the club enclosure when Kicking King will seek to record back-to-back wins in the great race.
If you prefer to do your own thing, tickets can be purchased on online at www.cheltenham.co.uk.
The biggest sporting event of them all, soccer's World Cup takes place in Germany from June 9th-July 9th. Unfortunately, Ireland won't be there, but anyone who would like to secure tickets for the matches can still do so via the Fifa website - www.fifaworldcup.com - with the third tranche of tickets, ranging in price from €35 for some group games to 600 for the final, currently on release.
This offer ends on January 15th and a ballot under the aegis of the German Federal Technical Inspection Authority will take place two weeks later. Around 250,000 tickets will be on sale during this sales period - for all ties, apart from the opening match.
