Organizers of the 2015 Asian Cup are "confident the event will avoid
the embarrassing sight of banks of empty seats," with Asian Cup COO Mark Falvo, the "brains behind the tournament," adamant fans will
get behind the event, according to Sebastian Hassett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Falvo believes the "take-up of tickets so far -- especially 'venue
packs,' which enable fans to attend all matches at one particular
stadium -- means fans will embrace even the most low-key of matches." Falvo: "Ticket sales are going really well for all our matches, we're certainly
ahead of plan and our rate of sale has increased five-fold in recent
months. Some matches are selling better than others, of course, but
we're confident that once the tournament comes closer, people will
really get on board in a last-minute surge." Least concerning "will be the numbers who turn up for the Socceroos' three group matches," all of which are "on course to be sell-outs or close to capacity." Falvo added, "The Socceroos matches are naturally proving to be very popular and
we've also had a lot of interest in Japan and Iran." The tournament's marketing strategy has involved "plentiful ads on
radio and television, as well as a promotional 'takeover' of Central
Station in Sydney and Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, which begins
this week" (SMH, 12/2).
