Organisers Launch Glasgow 2014 Ticket Strategy
Organisers of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have announced its ticketing strategy and competition schedule, with the structure designed to create a ‘Games for Everyone’.
As part of the family-friendly strategy, over half a million tickets will be priced at £25 or less, with only 8% going to corporate sponsors. It was also announced that sponsors of the Games will be expected to pay for tickets.
Prices for the Opening Ceremony start at £40 and the Closing Ceremony at £30, while the most expensive ticket during the Games – which runs from 23rd July and 4th August – for the 100 metres will be £90.
For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, half-price concessions will be available for children and over-60s, and the price of a ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of the event.
Announcing the Ticketing Programme, Glasgow 2014 chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said: ‘This is a big day for Glasgow 2014 and one that has taken a substantial amount of planning. This isn’t just about selling a million tickets. It’s about making the Games accessible to all. We have spent many months designing a Ticketing Programme that reflects the vision and values of Glasgow 2014. Today’s the day we set out our stall.’
‘We have listened and learnt from previous Commonwealth Games as well as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ve also conducted our own research. We’ve thought long and hard about the pricing, the process by which you’ll buy tickets, but also the way we communicate.’
‘This is a Games for everyone. And by that I mean success not just for the Organising Committee and our partners, but also for the people of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.’
Glasgow 2014 deputy chief executive, Ty Speer, said: ‘Our focus in developing a Ticketing Programme for Glasgow 2014 has been to make these the most family-friendly, accessible and inclusive Games we possibly can. That means having a simple, straightforward application process, a pricing structure which is accessible and methods of payment which do not exclude anyone.’
‘Glasgow 2014 presents the opportunity to enjoy a festival of world-class sport. We want to have our venues packed with people who can experience the excitement and action of elite sporting performances at first hand and be part of the action.’
‘We want to be a good host and give the warm and passionate welcome that we owe to our athletes and which they deserve. Our Ticketing Programme is designed to make sure that happens.’
Meanwhile, the competition schedule was also unveiled – with 12 sports taking place on the first day of action, including swimming and track cycling, while athletics will debut at the competition inside Hampden Park from 27th July.
The ticketing process will launch on 19th August of this year and ticket applications can be made online with debit or credit cards until 16th September.
Like London 2012, a computerised draw will select the successful applications for any high demand sports and sessions that are oversold.
Full details are due to be announced in the ticketing guide to be published by Glasgow on 23rd July, a year before the Opening Ceremony.
The announcement was made two weeks after Ticketmaster was confirmed as the Official Ticketing Services Provider for the Games, despite receiving criticism during London 2012 following problems with its website.
