FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Over 20,000 tickets sold for inaugural day at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium

Mumbai: Over 20,000 tickets have been sold for the first match day, comprising two matches to be played at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 6 October, day one of the FIFA U17 World Cup. “Over 20,000 tickets have been sold out so far out of the total capacity (around 45,000) of the stadium,” sources said. According to sources, they have another 10 days left for the tournament to kick off and a full house for the first two games is expected. [caption id=“attachment_3794623” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Image courtesy: FIFA[/caption] They also said the stadium will be handed over to FIFA anytime after 28 September, though a final date for it has to be fixed. Meanwhile, the D Y Patil Stadium has been completely renovated for the FIFA event, to be hosted by India for the first time. As per sources, all the seats have been changed to ensure that spectators get a good view of the games. The seats have been imported from South Korea. “All the new seats are put in. A new fabric roof has been installed and we have made sure the seating is done in such a manner that every spectator, who sits in the stadium, has a unique watching experience,” a senior official of D Y Patil Sports Academy told PTI. “In terms of renovation, two practice grounds are ready in the facility (campus),” he said. It is learnt that all arrangements are in place for the tournament and some finishing touches are being given. According to sources, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has agreed to ply buses from the stadium to nearby railway stations, Juinagar and Nerul, for the convenience of commuters.