"Along with Celtic, we are urging supporters who do not have tickets not to travel to the city, " read a joint statement from Manchester officials.

BBC: Ticketless Celtic fans are warned

But with more than 75, 000 visitors - only a fraction with tickets - expected to cram into the city for the showcase final, Glasgow is expecting to cash in.

BBC: Glasgow in party mood

The city even mailed out tickets to ambulances.

FORBES: OUT OF FOCUS

They would be stewarded by Hull City officials to collect their tickets before being transported to the stadium by official buses, the force said.

BBC: Compromise over Hull City v Huddersfield travel dispute

Passengers on the city's 8, 500 vehicles will be able to buy tickets by swiping a credit, debit or charge card by a reader.

BBC: London buses offer contactless card payment

Passengers on the city's 8, 500 vehicles will be able to buy tickets by swiping a credit, debit or charge card by an NFC (near field communication) reader.

BBC: London buses to offer NFC contactless card payments

Twenty-two stations spread over 18km to connect the southern and western suburbs with the city centre, and reasonably priced tickets start at 1.35 euros.

BBC: Seville goes green

An inspector appears to snip our tickets and grins at the huddle of blonde children, all rapt at the window watching the city slowly recede.

BBC: Travel with children: The night train to Luxor

Independent travellers can also contact a tour operator solely to purchase tickets, or reserve tickets through one of the many hotels that dot the rural Sacred Valley between the city of Cusco and the town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

BBC: Securing tickets for Machu Picchu

The ultimate Bolofsky-killer, Stark says, will be the thousands of handheld Symbol Technologies computers the city is giving agents (only a fraction of tickets these days are issued by police officers) to replace old-fashioned citation books.

FORBES: Get Your Tickets Fixed