The second round of ticket sales for next year’s Paris Olympics kicked off on Thursday, and only lucky lottery winners will be able to purchase 1.5 million tickets to the most prestigious competitions, as well as the opening ceremonies and closure.
The Paris Games, to be held between July 26 and August 11, 2024, include 32 sports disciplines spread over 37 venues.
HOW IS THE SALE
Four million people applied for the lottery online, according to organizers.
The winners will have a period of 48 hours to decide on an online platform with global reach. They will receive an email two days in advance and will be able to purchase 30 tickets per person, but no more than six per event, an amount that was restricted to four for the most popular finals and the two ceremonies.
Michael Aloïsio, the deputy manager of the Paris Games, said the system was left that way so that winners can easily buy tickets for family and friends.
Tickets for many sports — especially the cheapest ones — are expected to sell out quickly.
“We put the tickets for the most emblematic events of the Games on sale,” said Aloïsio, emphasizing that the people who entered the platform on Thursday were “fascinated.”
“Those who are left for the next few days will obviously have fewer options,” he added.
THE CHEAPEST
Tickets are available in various categories based on cost. Approximately 10% were left with the cheapest price of 24 euros (26 dollars). The most expensive ones start in the 200-euro ($218) range, Aloïsio said.
The higher prices include the finals in track and field, swimming and basketball.
Tickets for the women’s 100m final on August 3, cost 690 euros ($752) for the best seats. For the men’s 100 final, the cost is 980 euros ($1,069).
If you want to watch skateboarding and breakdancing, the cost ranges from 24 to 160 euros (26 to 174 dollars).
Ticket sales represent almost a third of the budget for the Paris Games, which is projected to reach 4.4 billion euros (4.8 billion dollars).
NEXT PHASE
It’s too late to apply for a lottery, but there will be new opportunities to purchase tickets at the end of the year, according to organizers. The exact date has not yet been set.
It is also planned to open a resale platform next spring.
Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale on October 4, but not through a lottery. It is estimated that 3 million tickets will be put on sale. These jousts will take place between August 28 and September 8.
A total of 3.25 million tickets were sold in a first phase at the beginning of this year, with packages for various sports. Some fans complained about the system, citing limited supply and sky-high prices.
“It’s a long-awaited event and unfortunately we know many will be disappointed,” said Aloïsio.
