Phoenix gets Del Piero boost

Phoenix general manager David Dome says the former Italian international and Juventus star, who has signed with Sydney FC for $4 million over two years, has triggered a massive surge in ticket sales for the October 6 match at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

"We're 10 times more than where we'd normally be - it's pointing to a very big crowd," Dome told AAP three hours after ticket sales opened on Friday morning.

"If they continue to sell like this, it'll be huge. We're going to be well over a thousand by the end of the day, and we've still got two and a half weeks to go.

"We're going to be pre-sale well over 10,000. I don't want to start talking about a sell-out or anything like that, but we're looking at a big crowd."

Wellington is also gearing up for an influx of travelling Sky Blues fans, and has been encouraged by inquiries from across the Tasman for corporate hospitality.

"Normally for Sydney FC games, we'd expect 30-40 travelling supporters maximum - I'd put this at more than a couple of hundred," Dome said.

There was "a real buzz" around the A-League this year, he added, with Del Piero's signing followed by news that former England striker Emile Heskey has confirmed a one-year deal with Newcastle Jets.

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack, released by Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season, has also been linked with A-League newcomer, Western Sydney Wanderers.

He said: "These are quality players coming into the A-League and people want to see them, there's no doubt about it."

Dome said the Phoenix's off-season recruitment - completed last week with the signing of former Belgium striker Stein Huysegems - had led to a boost in season ticket sales.

"We're 50 per cent above where we were at the same time last year - there's heaps of interest."