Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 US hosting package for sale by Elevate Sports, Key Partners

Host MATCH, FIFA’s global rights guard to sell hospitality tickets and packages for the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar, on which Elevate Sports and Premier Partnerships were the official sales representatives for the U.S. market, the companies announced Thursday.

It is undoubtedly a unique situation facing everyone involved, with the coronavirus pandemic delaying the World Cup and the event itself taking place in November and in December instead of June and July to adopt Qatar’s declining climate. But since hosting packages went on sale on February 1, it is higher than the last three World Cups. MATCH met contract sales financial targets of $ 260 million, 20% better than the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to Michael Kelly, MATCH Hosting’s chief revenue officer.

The U.S. has been the 2nd most popular market to date in early sales, with packages centered around the Mexican national team and semifinal and final packages among the largest retailers to date.

“Before we even officially launched here in the United States with our new partners, we already have a good step out the door,” Kelly said. “And we expect it to continue to get better and better. ”

According to John Kristich, president of Premier Partnerships, and Felix Brambilla, Head of Overseas Leisure Group, a B2B travel operator that delivers many of the unique business and corporate experiences in Qatar, World War I time in the Middle East A cup is somewhat beneficial. That’s because there has been so much demand for travel, especially internationally, because of the pandemic. And a later start in 2022 will give the world more time to return to normalcy and more easily embrace the safe experience of a live event.

The entry level to purchase a hosting package is a product called the Match Club, which is $ 950 for a group platform game, with the option to attend an additional game for $ 700, Kelly said. The top end of the pack can cost up to $ 1-2 million for luxury boxes in rooms for the semifinals and finals, but that’s certainly far more inclusive. All of these packages come with some level of catering services and the ability to purchase hotel accommodations at a discounted price, Kelly said.

“That’s why we have this partnership together. So we can treat everyone in a unique way, ”said Shawn Doss, Elevate’s executive vice president of marketing and sales. “Everyone who wants to experience the World Cup will be able to do it because of Mike’s selection.”

Fans who want to experience all of those games can do so in Qatar because in a country close to the size of Connecticut, all the stadiums will be within a 45-minute drive of each other.

“World Cup accessible from one hotel,” Kristich said. “What our relationship with Match Hospitality gives us is just access to the tickets, to the on-site hosting that no one can offer to customers in the US.”

And Brambilla will help ensure that clients have the opportunity to go ATV riding, canoeing, play in a ProAm football tournament and immerse themselves in the culture of the country if they wish.

“When you go to a bucket list event in your life, you want to remember it,” Brambilla said. “It starts with making sure we have a personal approach to everyone’s journey there.”

Of course, there will be plenty of questions about the Qatar World Cup. Why is it in November instead of summer? Is the US team going to get certified? What happens if the event is canceled? Will restrictions on foreign travelers comply with Qatari rules and practices?

“I know sometimes there’s been a bit of a conversation,” Brambilla said, “but Qatar will be a place where people can have fun with the tradition.”

Kelly was confident that alcohol would be served at the games, and Premier Partnerships chairman Alan Rothenberg said alcohol will also be served at the hotels in the capital Doha.

“In terms of constraints, there are none that will adversely affect us in the host fields at all,” Rothenberg said. “We don’t have to worry about anxiety.”

Kristich said that some will educate the public to be more comfortable with such a unique experience, but early sales results show that the demand is going to surprise everyone.

“I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience,” he said. “And I believe that the guests are going to do everything they can to make it as welcoming and exciting an event as ever for the World Cup.”