Anyone know when the draw for the random selection is? Does it happen at the end or is it periodically

for the first phase the ballot closed on October 12, and was notified i was successful by email on October 31 (but my credit card was debited about 10 days prior, so I knew I had them anyway)

My understanding is it is done at the end (currently 56 days away). Then the first in first served phase opens for the remaining tickets, which I'm sure they have put some aside for because otherwise every ticket would be taken in this phase.

Does anyone know the best place to look at for domestic flights in Russia? At this stage I'm thinking I'll be basing myself in Moscow and travelling match to match from there?

St Petersburg or Moscow. You will have access to high speed trains and flights there

Thanks mate. Best idea for sites to look at? Just looking for rough estimates to budget for now until I know which tickets I get

Anytime mate. For flights i used cheapflights and skyscanner. For accom trivago is usually the cheapest

i got stung $450 for a flight from Moscow to Samara on the morning of June 21. absolute extortion for a flight that is about the same distance as Melbourne to Sydney, but there is no way I was gonna get the train. but my flight from Samara to St Pete's on June 22 was about half as much.  

For trains between St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and places in between I'd have a look at https://www.russiantrains.com .

It's quite an easy site to use with reasonable prices (I have no barometer for this but it's certainly cheaper than most of the internal flights), the overnight options can be handy too in saving on a hotel night.

All train trainsport is free if you have a Fan ID but you have to pre-book. More info on FIFA site I think.

The official site and place you'll book them is transport2018.com. Worked like clockwork in the Confeds Cup, highly recommend it.

Just went to the FIFA site to put in my application, logged into my account, and I'm getting a blank page when I click apply for tickets. Anyone else?

Seemed to work in Firefox but not Chrome. Weird. 

Got my request in. Category 1 for the group stage matches as the price difference isn't all that much, and there's much more available, and category 3 for all the knockouts right up to the final. They'll refund my card if we don't make it, so in the meantime dreams are free!

Probably just clear browsing data. 

Probably something like that. First thing I did was check with the other browser and it was fine so I rolled with it.

Hehe I requested the rd of 16 but not anything beyond that. Gotta be realistic here.

I figured nothing ventured nothing gained. They don't charge your card until after the random draw period in February, and I've used a credit card that gives 6 months interest free for purchases over $250, so if they refund me I don't lose anything (bar FIFA's $10 processing fee) and if we get even close not only will it be well worth it just to be there.

Also, if we do, I'll cash out my $50 punt I put on us winning the whole cup a year ago at $1001, so I can't lose lol.

Request Details

1 x Match 27 - Germany v Sweden - Sochi - Category 3USD105

23 JUNSATURDAY21:00Match 27 - Germany v Sweden - SochiGroup MatchesSCH - Fisht StadiumCustomer USD105

1 x Match 38 - Australia v Peru - Sochi - Category 2

USD165

26 JUNTUESDAY17:00Match 38 - Australia v Peru - SochiGroup MatchesSCH - Fisht StadiumCustomer USD165TOTAL: USD270

I think I will go if I get 1 ticket for either game. 

I booked a hotel single room for RUB 2000 per night ( AUD 44)
I can fly to Riga then Sochi there but its a bit fucko on the way back, via Moscow or even longer stay in Minsk. But about AUD 780. Cheaper flights are there but so much airport time. 

That puts me at about AUD 1200 

Careful about going between Russia and Belarus if you don't have a passport for either countries as it counts as a domestic flight, despite the Fan ID visa free access for Russia and the 5 days visa free access to Belarus.

Infuriating loophole that I fell afoul of last year. Had to book a connecting flight via Lithuania at the last minute.

In theory you might have an easier time going from Belarus to Russia during the World Cup with your Fan ID, but given it's classes as a domestic flight I'd advise against it.

cheers, 

I think the best flight back is Moscow then Latvia. The bad thing is the flight is 6am or so the day after the Socceroos game. That is an earlier ko but wil have to try to take it easy if we go through.  

Until 31st January 2018, the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Centre (“FWCTC”) is providing all Ticket Applicants with successful Ticket Applications from Sales Phase (1) and/or with pending Ticket Applications from the current Random Selection Draw Sales Period of Sales Phase (2) with the opportunity to submit a request to be allocated seats next to the seats of other Ticket Applicants and Guests from other Ticket Applications.

To use this functionality, please access your Ticketing Account and choose one of the alternatives below:

- Create a new Seating Group:
When creating a new Seating Group, you are provided with a unique Seating Group Reference Number, which other Ticket Applicants that would like to be seated next to you should enter within their Ticketing Accounts.

- Join an existing Seating Group:
You can join an existing Seating Group by entering its unique Seating Group Reference Number within your Ticketing Account.

Please note that precondition to be seated together is that Ticket Applications contain the same Ticket products in the same Ticket categories. Ticket Applications containing incompatible Ticket products/categories will not be seated together, for example: Team Specific Ticket Series (“TST”) Tickets for different teams, Supporter Tickets (“ST”) or Conditional Supporter Tickets (“CST”) for different teams, or any Ticket products of different Ticket categories.

Please note that this functionality is not guaranteed as it may not be possible to provide adjacent seats to all Ticket Applications. Wherever possible, the FWCTC will seat the Ticket Applicants and Guests within the same Seating Group next to each other, but this is not guaranteed, and, in any case, a specific seating order cannot be guaranteed by FIFA.

If you have applied for Tickets during the current Random Selection Draw Sales Period of Sales Phase (2), please note that creating or joining a Seating Group will NOT change the status of your Ticket Application. This means that this Ticket Application will remain pending until the FWCTC notifies you following the conclusion of the Random Selection Draw Sales Period.

If you would like to create a Seating Group, please follow the steps below:

1. Click on “My Requests” at the bottom of this communication;
2. Log-in to your Ticketing Account;
3. Select “My Requests” from the Top menu of the Ticketing page;
4. Within the section “Seating Group”, select “Create Group”;
5. A unique Seating Group Reference Number will be automatically generated and shown within your Ticketing Account. Please inform other Ticket Applicants who would like to be seated next to you of this unique reference.

If you would like to join an existing Seating Group, please follow the steps below:

1. Click on “My Requests” at the bottom of this communication;
2. Log-in to your Ticketing Account;
3. Select “My Requests” from the Top menu of the Ticketing page;
4. Within the section “Seating Group”, enter the unique Seating Group Reference Number of the Seating Group that you would like to join, and select “Join Group”.

Please note that, by creating or joining a Seating Group, all of your Ticket Applications will become part of the respective group. If other Ticket Applicants join the same group, the FWCTC will attempt to assign adjacent seats to compatible Tickets, i.e. Tickets of the same Ticket product and Ticket category, contained in such Ticket Applications.

The Seating Group functionality is available until 31st January 2018. After 31st January 2018 at 10H CET/12H Moscow Time, the Seating Group functionality will no longer be available, and it will not be possible for Ticket Applicants to request to be seated next to other Ticket Applicants and Guests from different Ticket Applications.

To view the status and details of your Ticket Application at any time, log into your Ticketing Account by following the steps below:

1. Click on “My Requests” at the bottom of this communication;
2. Log-in to your Ticketing Account;
3. Select “My Requests” from the Top menu of the Ticketing page.

If you have any queries regarding your Ticket Application please refer initially to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) that are available at www.FIFA.com/tickets, or by clicking on the link at the bottom of this communication. Customers wishing to contact us with ticketing enquiries may do so by clicking “Contact Us” at the bottom of this communication or by phone on 8 495 787 2018 for Russian residents, or + 41 44 563 2018 for international customers.

Thank you for your interest in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Tickets.

Yours sincerely,

FIFA World Cup Ticketing Centre


On behalf of:
FIFA Ticketing AG

England football fans are avoiding the World Cup out of fear of Russian hooliganism

England fans are avoiding this summer's World CupGETTY (STOCK)

NOT GOING: England fans are avoiding the World Cup
Supporters are worried about notorious Ultra hooligans and the cost of getting to the tournament.

Fifa revealed they allocated 742,760 seats for the finals late last year.

But the majority went to Russian fans at knock-down prices.

The governing body said: “While most of the applications in Sales Phase 1 came from Russia, international demand increased steadily and currently accounts for 47% of all applications so far.

"Fans from the USA, Brazil, Germany, China, Mexico, Israel, Argentina, Australia and England all rank in the top 10 in this regard.”

Euro 2016 saw violence from Russian fansGETTY

PAST RECORD: Euro 2016 saw violence between fans
Inside the 'drunk tank' awaiting England fans at the World Cup

“The guide will advise gay people to be cautious. The same message is there for black and ethnic minority fans – do go to the World Cup but do be cautious.”

Normally, for a World Cup in Europe, England fans would be leading the rush for tickets.

But UK police chiefs have warned supporters about the risks of being attacked by hard-right Russian Ultras who want to fight at any opportunity.

And gay couples have also been told that they could be targeted if they show public displays of affection.

Same-sex relationships are not illegal in Russia but the “promotion” of homosexuality to minors is.

Fearer ultra groups are expected to target BritsGETTY

ULTRAS: Fearer ultra groups are expected to target Brits in Russia
Drunk tanks: Inside Russia's WAR on World Cup drunks


Tanked-up football fans could could be made to detox in a drunk tank


And even something as innocuous as holding hands could prompt arrest or a beating from local bigots.

In response a guide is being produced by Football Against Racism in Europe.

Piara Powar of Fare said: “The guide will advise gay people to be cautious.

“The same message is there for black and ethnic minority fans – do go to the World Cup but do be cautious.”

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/675554/england-football-fans-world-cup-hooligans-russia-2018-ultras

when the brits believe there own propaganda lol

This email is to inform you that the current Sales Period for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™
Tickets closes on 31st January 2018 at 10H CET/12H Moscow Time. Until then, you can add Tickets to your Ticket Application, change your details, including payment information.

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Travel Packages - Book now
Qatar Airways is launching travel packages including a return ticket with Qatar Airways, hotel accommodation and official match ticket* to customers wanting to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience at one of the world’s greatest must-see sporting events.

With a selection of travel packages from Group matches to the Final, we are offering you the exclusive opportunity to secure a travel package to the match of your choice.

Moscow and St Petersburg will be Qatar Airways’ hub during the FIFA World Cup™. Join us in watching the best 32 teams in the world battle it out to become champion.

*Subject to availability and as part of a travel package.

Ticket inclusive travel packages
A range of travel package options, brought to you by Qatar Airways Holidays, offer various experiences at different price points. Following your registration, you will receive an email with a link to the online brochure with details of all travel packages, prices, inclusions as well as a link to the online booking platform in order to book your package. Prices will vary depending on your match ticket category, level of accommodation, flight origin, etc.


Experience it live
Packages include return air ticket on Qatar Airways, hotel accommodation and official match tickets with indicative prices from (based on flights from Doha to Moscow):

Opening Match package, starting from USD 4,615
Moscow Group & Round 16 packages, starting from USD 3,145
St Petersburg Group & Round 16 packages, starting from USD 2,945
Semi-Final and Final package, starting from USD 8,785
Finals package, starting from USD 6,565
Registration form
With high demand for travel packages, register now to receive an email with a link to the booking platform. Please ensure you read our terms and conditions below before registering.

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/offers/football-packages.html

Just applied for all the Australia games.  Category 1.  Why not?  Only live once.

Thought I'd have a quick look at the flights and car hires and there seems to be dozens of flights for less than $2000.  (Excluding China Southern who I don't trust.  They're about $1400.)

Even Emirates and Etihad and some Qantas flights are around the $1500 to $1800 mark.  That's return Brisbane.  Leaving 12th June, returning 30th June.

Seems way cheap.

Am I missing something?  Pala?  Anyone?

Even a 4 door Camry equivalent car hire for those dates is running at about $60 a day.  Bargain.  

These will double in price very soon, same happened for Brazil. 

and not sure you want to hire a car in Russia, having been there a couple times, they drive crazy haha. It's safe, but they drive like fucken lunatics.

I know what you mean.  Drove around Poland and Slovakia.  Far out, they are mental.