Football
Adriana Garcia 5y

Copa Libertadores final the hottest ticket in town as Boca Juniors inundated with media requests

There's no bigger date in Argentina's football calendar than the Superclasico between Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Add to the equation that the two are meeting for the first time in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday, and well... it's kind of a big deal.

The last-ever two-legged final in South America's most prestigious club tournament being one of world football's biggest grudge matches has captured the imagination and attention across the globe.

Manchester United's Ander Herrera describes it as "one of the biggest football-related events in the world," while his teammate Juan Mata believes "it's great news for the world football and for Argentine football that [Boca and River will] play this great final."

- Vickery: Get ready for the world's fiercest grudge match

And, if further proof were needed, Boca have confirmed to ESPN FC that they have received 2,500 media accreditation requests for Saturday's first leg at La Bombonera.

In total, media outlets from 25 countries and from four different continents have requested passes, including every single country in South America. Accreditation has been sought from nations as far and wide as Russia, Slovenia, Japan and even the Sultanate of Oman.

"In 36 years that I've worked in the club, this is the game where we've had the most unusual accreditations," Boca press officer Angel Nunez said earlier this week. "There's not enough for everyone. There are 159 desks and 22 booths... We will try for all the countries to be represented."

A total of 429 media corporations, including 91 TV networks and 216 radio stations, have asked for accreditation. Boca has given out 858 credentials for Sunday's meeting.

In the last league Superclasico which Boca hosted on Sept. 23, 717 journalists covered the game. River won the game 2-0.

As for places for fans, the clubs have agreed to ban away supporters from both legs to avoid the bitter feud between the two clubs descending into violence. 

Non-VIP tickets for the match at La Bombonera are available on resale sites for as much as 153,083 Argentine pesos ($4,300) each.

Boca have reached the Libertadores final 11 times, more than any other club, and they have won the title six times.

River host the return leg on Nov. 24 at their Estadio Monumental.

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