Thomson Sport announces 2010 FIFA World Cup packages 

South Africa had the first opportunity to showcase its readiness for global sport's biggest showpiece when it hosted the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on, Friday 4th December 2009.

Millions looked on intently as 32 teams found out which group they will be playing in and which stadiums they will now play at. Fans around the world had their fingers crossed as 27 of the 32 coaches waited with anticipation, including England’s Fabio Capello.

England will play in group C against the USA, Algeria and Slovenia. For the 3 group stages, the match dates and venues are as follows:

20.30 Saturday 12th June at the Royal Bafoeng Stadium in Rustenburg against the USA
20.30 Friday 18th June at the Cape Town stadium against Algeria
16.00 Wednesday 23rd June at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth against

Nathan Wilson, managing director of Thomson Sport, said: “Football is in our culture, it’s in our DNA and happy for our fans that England has been drawn to play in an attractive group against some colourful nations. It’s now time for fans who want to attend the ‘must-see’ event of next year to focus on getting to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. With Thomson Sport basing its programme in Cape Town this was the ideal draw for us.

“Demand over the past few weeks has been unprecedented with Thomson Sport selling out of long stay packages for the die hard England fans. It’s now time to book as so not to be disappointed. This weekend the phones rang off the hook and if this demand continues at this level we will be sold out by Christmas. With England having the potential to reach the last 16, the prospects of a cracking match against Germany, uplifted those sales”.

One Match package
For those that have already got a match ticket for England’s third group match, Thomson Sport offer accommodation and travel packages (21st - 26th June 2010). Prices start from £2449 per person for a four night package including international return flights, accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express in Cape Town on B&B, luxury coach transfers, local South African guides, Thomson Sport Big Bar, Thomson Sport merchandise and representation. There is also the chance to book optional internal flights within South Africa and optional excursions. The whole package is ATOL protected with the World largest tour operator. Packages including a match ticket start from £2512 per person. For further booking information visit thomsonsport.com.

Two Match packages
Thomson Sport offers accommodation and travel packages for those that have already got match tickets for England’s first two matches in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Prices start from £3699 per person (10th – 22nd June 2010) including 11 nights accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express in Cape Town on B&B, international return flights, luxury coach transfers, local South African guides, Thomson Sport Big Bar, Thomson Sport merchandise, Thomson Sport representation, and the chance to book optional excursions and internal flights within South Africa. The whole package is ATOL protected with the World largest tour operator. Packages including match tickets start from £3825 per person. For further booking information contact: thomsonsport.com

Group Stages
Thomson Sport offers accommodation and travel packages for those that have already got match tickets for England’s three matches in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Prices start from £3999 per person (10th – 26th June 2010) including 16 nights accommodation at the 3* Camps Bay Resort in Cape Town on B&B, international return flights, luxury coach transfers, local South African guides, Thomson Sport merchandise, Thomson Sport Big Bar, Thomson Sport representation, and the chance to book optional excursions and internal flights within South Africa. The whole package is ATOL protected with the World largest tour operator. Packages including category 3 match tickets start from £4188 per person. For further booking information visit thomsonsport.com

Category 1 and 2 match tickets are also available for all games at a supplement.

With limited availability generally on accommodation across South Africa during the World Cup, it is understood that there will be a lack of general accessibility to official tickets and accommodation unless booking through an official accommodation and travel provider. Thomson Sport, 2009 British Travel Awards ‘Best Activity/Sports Tour Operator, is currently offering one, two and three match official travel packages for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with clients being looked after 24 hours a day by Thomson Sport.

The packages, offer competitively priced options with accommodation in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, which in Thomson’s opinion is the best city in South Africa for England supporters to base themselves. Wilson continues, “Cape Town, as a base is a diverse city and is regarded as the melting point for various different cultures in Southern Africa. One would be hard pressed to find a reason for England Fans not to fall in love with one of South Africa's most famous cities, Cape Town. With bustling nightlife on Long Street, it’s the place to indulge your passion, with good food as well as a vast variety of bars and nightlife. The popular beaches along the Atlantic seaboard are attractive and there are a host of other things to do staying in this safe city including visiting the iconic Table Mountain and Robben Island.

The final line-up of the countries who have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is: Nigeria, Cameroon, New Zealand, Japan, Netherlands, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Australia, USA, Brazil, Ghana, England, Paraguay, Spain, Denmark, Cote d’Ivoire, Chile, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Serbia, Switzerland, Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia, Algeria, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Greece, Uruguay and hosts South Africa.