Germany Welcomes the Wealthy World

While thousands of fans bite their nails to the quick waiting for news of their ticket applications as the allocation rounds get fewer and further between, it has been revealed that there are still around 150,000 of the best seats, including those at the final, available to the public.

But there is unlikely to be a stampede for these golden tickets. The cheapest of those still available will set supporters back some 1,900 euros ($2,281) plus sales tax. This pricey package will allow the extravagant fan to attend three first round games. But that’s just the bottom of a sliding scale that reaches an incredible 336,000 euros ($403,300) for a 20-person box at all six matches in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, including the final.

While tickets through the regular channel on the official World Cup website have been snapped up, the 346,950 tickets held by Swiss-based company iSE-Hospitality have not sold half as well, mainly because of the prices.

Only half of hospitality packages sold

The company told Reuters that approximately half of the hospitality packages have yet to be sold, in contrast to the first offering of 812,000 tickets from the World Cup organizers which was oversubscribed by 10 to one. The next phase of 300,000 tickets, which go up for grabs after the group draw in December, is expected to generate even more of a mad scramble.

With tickets ranging from 35 euros for the lowest category seats at opening round games to 600 euros for the most expensive seats at the final, with relatively modest price points along the way, it is unsurprising that more fans are tempted by the regular offers.

"The German market is of course challenging, but we are certain we will sell out," iSE Hospitality's deputy CEO Andreas Hacker said.

Hacker and iSE Hospitality are obviously hoping that business clients who are looking to use the event as a way of entertaining potential clients will eventually see the "speculate to accumulate" factor in the expensive packages.

Fans with cash also in with a chance

With food, drink, parking and special stadium access included, the tickets are specifically geared towards corporate buyers. However Hacker was keen to stress that affluent supporters should not be put off from applying for the tickets.

"The reasons behind purchases so far have been clear," he said. "No other event can offer anything like the opportunities for networking and entertaining at the World Cup."

The problem may be that the tickets for the main events, like the knock-out stages and particularly the semi-finals and final, may sell out fast, leaving many of the other games undersold.

The World Cup organizing committee has made it clear that any unsold hospitality packages would be taken back and made available to fans but iSE Hospitality are confident that this won't be necessary.

"It's obvious that companies and individuals will have an interest in certain matches more than others," Hacker said. "But all of the matches will have an amazing atmosphere."

"It's the World Cup. At the end of the year, the worst thing would be to say you weren't even there."