Kenya’s Bunson Travel in World Cup tickets deal

Bunson Travel Service has been appointed the exclusive Fifa World Cup sales agent for Kenya and neighbouring countries in next year’s tournament, handing the firm a potentially lucrative opportunity to cash in on the global sporting festival.

The travel and tours firm will sell tickets to fans booking for the month-long tournament that kicks off on June 12 in Russia.

The contract also allows Bunson to bundle the tickets with other ancillary services like hotel bookings, drinks and tours.

Julie Scott, the firm’s managing director, has secured the rights from Zurich-based MatchHospitality that is authorised by Fifa – the world’s football governing body – to sell hospitality packages for the tournament themselves or through agents.

“Fifa hereby confirms its approval of the exclusive appointment of Bunson on the terms set out in the agreement,” reads a letter from Fifa to Ms Scott, ratifying the agreement with Match Hospitality.

Ms Scott says her firm has recently received approval to also sell tickets for fans in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Next year’s tournament will involve 31 teams. There will be a total of 64 matches played in 11 Russian cities including Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Sochi, and Kazan. While football fans can buy tickets via the Fifa website, many prefer going through agents to avoid the hassle of securing the tickets, airline bookings, hotel transfers and visits to shopping centres or cultural sites.

The cheapest available ticket is retailing at $850 (Sh87,550), which only includes a ticket for a group match but does not include the opening game and accommodation.

The cost of a package is dependent on the number of nights spent in Russia, the number and category of matches, and the standard of hotel.

A fan who wants to spend seven nights in Moscow and watch the semi-final and final games will have to part with between Sh1.2 million and Sh1.9 million. These tickets are already sold out.

“Kenyans interested in going to the World Cup should make their bookings early. Otherwise, they will end up paying much more for the tickets as the tournament draws near,” she said.