Cup clash looks set to sell out for City

CARDIFF City’s glamour FA Cup clash with Manchester City looks set for a 32,000 sell-out after fans queued for hours over the weekend to bag tickets for the fourth round tie against the Premier League leaders.

The Bluebirds face Pep Guardiola’s star-studded side in a televised game on Sunday, January 28.

The Cardiff City Stadium has seen fans queuing for hours over the last few days to purchase tickets for the hugely-anticipated cup clash.

Neil Warnock’s side booked their place in the fourth round of the competition with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Mansfield last week. And since then supporters have been scrambling for tickets for the visit of one of the world’s richest football clubs.

On Friday afternoon, the club revealed that more than 19,000 tickets had already been sold for the cup encounter, with Man City taking an allocation of 4,700 for the game in the Welsh capital.

By Sunday that figure was above 25,000 and, according to Vince Alm from Cardiff City supporters club, the game looks set to be a sell out.“With segregation the capacity for the game will be 32,000 and I can see it being a complete sell-out,” he said.

“The ticket sales have been been pretty smooth and the club have put on extra staff to cope.

“The way the ticketing policy has been put together has been spot on with those who go to games the most getting the first crack at purchasing tickets.”

Tuesday to Thursday last week saw tickets on sale online to season ticket holders only.

Friday to Saturday saw tickets open to season ticket holders, Flex ticket holders and members. Sunday to Monday saw tickets also on sale to those who attended the Mansfield home fixture, while midday today will see tickets on sale to all who have previously purchased a 2017/18 home league ticket, up to and including Sunderland.

“If there any tickets left after this the club will issue a statement about tickets going on general sale,” added Vince.

The Bluebirds will be hoping for a repeat of their famous 1-0 FA Cup vitory over Manchester City in 1994 when Nathan Blake’s stunning goal from outside the box was the difference between the two sides.

“We’ve got quite a good record against them,” said Vince. “There’s the famous FA Cup victory and, of course, we beat them 3-2 in the Premier League.

“Who knows what side they will field, but even if they put out their third team they’d give anybody a game.

“With home advantage being crucial, who knows, anything could happen.”

Ticket news is available at www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.