With 69 days to go until the opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, FIFA has today presented the 2018 FIFA World Cup ticket design.

All key match-related information, such as the fixture, stadium, date, kick-off and gate opening time, is printed on each ticket. Fans are reminded that gates will open three hours ahead of each game, with the exception of the opening match and the final, for which gates will open four hours prior to kick-off. Each ticket also has details on the category, information on how to find the assigned seat as well as a map indicating the stadium sector in which the seat is located. A list of prohibited items and an abridged version of the General Terms and Conditions for the Use of Tickets applicable to all ticket holders are printed on the rear of each ticket, which itself is a revocable licence granting access to the stadium.

Security features

The tickets feature key security elements including a barcode positioned on the right-hand side and a hologram next to the sector map.

Tickets will be personalised, meaning that the name of the ticket holder will be printed on it. Provided the persons entering the stadium have a valid ticket and their FAN ID and have been duly registered by the ticket purchaser at FIFA.com/tickets, access to the stadium will be granted.

Fans will undergo the following checks upon arrival at the stadium:

External stadium perimeter: fans will be requested to present their FAN IDs and tickets.

Entrance to the stadium: electronic ticket validation will be implemented through a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system, which will identify cancelled or counterfeit tickets that will not give access to the respective match.

Tickets purchased during sales phases 1 and 2 will be delivered free of charge to fans in the weeks leading up to the tournament, with deliveries planned to start in April/May 2018. Tickets purchased during the Last-Minute Sales Phase will be available for collection from the FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres (FVTC), which are set to open on 18 April 2018.

FIFA.com/tickets – the only official source

Given the remarkable level of interest from all over the world, FIFA would like to remind all football fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official and legitimate website on which to buy 2018 FIFA World Cup tickets. Tickets obtained from any other source will be automatically cancelled once identified and will not entitle the ticket holder to access the stadium or to any refund or other compensation.

FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a serious issue and in cooperation with local authorities, including consumer protection agencies in numerous countries, strives to identify and curb unauthorised ticket sales. As a result, a number of unauthorised online ticket sale offers via websites and on social media in various countries have been removed in recent months.

By working in close cooperation with the Russian authorities, which have recently introduced specific legislation including various sanctions for illegal ticket operations in accordance with the Russian Code of Administrative Offences, FIFA strives to protect the integrity of the ticketing sales process.

Ticket applicants will be able to transfer guest tickets or resell tickets within their ticketing accounts from 18 April 2018. Transfer and resale requests will be considered in accordance with the Ticket Transfer and Resale Policy. Further details are available here.

FAN ID

At the request of the Russian authorities, all fans attending matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup need to apply for a FAN ID – the official identity document issued to fans. Fans are encouraged to apply for this free document as soon as possible after they have received their ticket confirmation email.

A FAN ID and a valid ticket are required for fans to be able to enter the 2018 FIFA World Cup stadiums. Having a FAN ID gives fans additional benefits and services provided by the host country, such as visa-free entry to the Russian Federation, certain free inter-host city travel and free use of public transport on matchdays. For further details, please visit www.fan-id.ru.

FIFA does not assume any liability or responsibility concerning the application, issue and/or use of FAN IDs.