Egyptian organizing committee for the 2006 African Cup has released ticket prices for next year's showpiece event, local press reported Thursday.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2006 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt said fans can buy individual tickets for matches or collective tickets which will allow them to attend all the games at a specific stadium.

A first-class ticket for nine matches, including the opening game and final, at the Cairo Stadium will cost 156 US dollars, a second-class ticket 35 US dollars and third-class ticket 16 US dollars.

At Cairo's Military Academy stadium, which will stage eight matches, and Alexandria's Harras Al-Hedoud stadium, a venue for seven games, the collective tickets will be 9 US dollars, one dollar more than the price of watching six games at the Port Said stadium.

The cheapest individual tickets for matches, providing the gamedoes not involve Egypt, will cost 1.75 US dollars. And any fan wishing to watch the hosts must pay a minimum of 2.50 US dollars.

Football fans in Egypt will be able to secure tickets on a first-served basis by asking for tickets at any of the post offices located around the country from August 15, and fans outside Egypt will be able to purchase tickets through the internet.

"Online tickets will go on sale following the Nations Cup draw on 20 October," said LOC director Khaled Abdel-Aziz, "Africans need to know which group they'll be playing in before buying theirtickets."

Fans can buy match tickets on the day of a game but must request collective tickets before December 15.

Source: Xinhua