The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is encouraging spectators desirous of grandstand tickets for the March 25 World Cup Qualification match between Jamaica and Costa Rica at the National Stadium to purchase tickets immediately as they become available, or pre-order, especially for corporate circumstances.

The local governing body has made the appeal in light of increasing demands from Costa Rican fans planning to travel to Jamaica to support their team, which is currently sitting atop the four-team Group Two with maximum six points following wins over Haiti and Panama. Panama and Jamaica are next with three points, with Haiti at the base without a point.

According to JFF president, Captain Horace Burrell, who spoke with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday, the Costa Ricans, through travel agencies, have made inquiries to the JFF for grandstand tickets, and that number now stands at around 1,600. They suspect that more inquiries will be made before match date. The grandstand is believed to seat about 4,500-5,000.

Ticket prices are as follows: grandstand Category One — $6,500; grandstand Category Two — $5,500 and bleachers — $1,200.

“We haven’t signed off as yet, but as president I will not allow visitors to occupy most of our premier seats and at the same time take away some of our home advantage.”

Captain Burrell added: “It is also my understanding that charter flights are being planned and bookings are being made for hotels in Montego Bay for the game.”

However, the JFF boss was quick to point out that based on the understanding between countries, the JFF will indeed make a certain percentage of tickets available for the visiting team. “We will sell a certain percentage of tickets and we will do that based on requests, but not in the premier area… they can get that amount in the bleachers, if they so desire,” Captain Burrell asserted.

“So I want to give the public a gentle reminder that we don’t want to keep these tickets (grandtsand) away from the Costa Ricans, and Jamaican supporters don’t buy them. These tickets are in high demand and we want the crowd inside the National Stadium, but we would want to see our supporters occupying most of the premier seats.

“We expect the numbers (demand) to increase, as Costa Rica are doing well in this round and they do have a culture of travelling to support their team, but we are trying to delay (giving them a positive response) for as long as possible.”

Tickets usually go on sale about five days prior to match day, but the JFF is contemplating making tickets available at least a week out. Captain Burrell is also reminding those wishing to visit the match that, being Good Friday, the plan is to set aside a segment of the pre-game programme to cater to Christians.