WC 2010 sold out?

[Levenspiel]

That doesn't sound right. I wish it did, but we are not that basketball-aware country.

I tried to buy tickets through the organisation's website, just now. For preliminary round, Ankara and Istanbul are not in the options. I guess those are sold out. Zone 2, 3 & 4 can be purchased in Izmir. I didn't check the other alternatives.

I believe more tickets will be available later. Because something like "3rd wave" is written on tickets page. More waves should follow.

[Federoy]

That's excellent news for both the event organizers and FIBA. I can still remember how embarassing the half-empty arena looked game after game in 2002 when Indianapolis hosted it. It wasn't just a bad showing by the US National Team, but it was one of the worst organized and publicized WC in recent memory.

[Franz]

Is this true?

LONDON (2010 FIBA World Championship) – With 100 days to go before the start of the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, the organisers say all tickets that were available on public sale for the event have already sold out.

Only a small contingent will be made available shortly before the event begins on 28th August.

Around 350,000 people are expected to attend the Championship, which culminates in the final on 12th September.

The event will be played in four cities - Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri - and feature 24 teams, with 288 players playing 80 games. Two new venues have been built especially for the Championship.

http://www.turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/news/p/eid/4728/nid/40014/sid/4728/article.html