"This is a success that exceeds our expectations and objectives," admits Tony Estanguet. During a press briefing held on Tuesday afternoon from the Paris 2024 headquarters, the president of the organization made a more than positive assessment of the second phase of ticket sales, organized from May 11 and which ended at the end of last week.
1.89 million sesames were sold in less than 10 days, against 1.5 million initially envisaged. And the competition was tough between sports fans: 1 million tickets were sold in 36 hours, with five sports sold out in just one of the... two hours (triathlon, climbing, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle and Breaking), says the organization. Some sessions were particularly targeted, such as women's judo over 78 kg, or men's over 100 kg, a category where Teddy Riner should compete. Both were also unavailable for sale within two hours.
Among the best-selling sports: football, basketball, handball, athletics and volleyball. As for the opening ceremony, strongly criticized for its seats at 2,700 euros in category A (there are 4,000 left to date), tickets in categories E, E + and D sold out in a single day.
800,000 tickets at 24 euros offered for sale
With the success of the first phase of sales, organized last February, 6.8 million tickets have already been sold, including 5.2 million for the general public. The remaining 1.6 million was acquired by "all stakeholders", said the organization, including "the State, local authorities, the IOC and federations". "We have experienced a very strong enthusiasm on the part of all audiences," continues the former ceist. 63% of buyers are French, while British and Americans occupy the second and third steps of the podium.
Despite this success, Paris 2024 has once again not escaped criticism and other controversies, including those launched by some athletes themselves, worried about not being able to offer places to their loved ones. "Of course there is frustration, and we can understand the disappointment. But we knew from the beginning that we could not meet all this demand, which is much more important than supply, "repeated Tony Estanguet. The organization has tried to justify the prices offered to the general public, ensuring that it is necessary "exceptional tickets in small quantities that finance tickets accessible in large volumes".
Paris 2024 specified that 5.3% of tickets put on sale had a price greater than or equal to 400 euros, while four million tickets cost 50 euros or less. Paris 2024 also ensures that there are as many tickets (800,000) at 24 euros on sale for the general public as tickets at 200 euros or more.
Paralympic Games ticket office opens on October 9
Faced with this popular enthusiasm, and while it was initially announced for the end of the year, the third phase of sale, organized on a "first come, first served" formula will be held this summer. The ticket office will therefore be reopened, with the seats that did not find takers during the first two phases. The organization ensures that there are still places at 24 euros, especially for sailing, organized in Marseille, golf, or some basketball matches. The timetable will be specified at a later date.
Final sesames will be put back on sale in 2024. Some places from the so-called "contingency" places, which account for about 10% of the gauges and are currently "retained" pending the final disposition of the Olympic venues, will be "released". Finally, Paris 2024 also announced the official launch date of the Paralympic Games ticketing (28 August to 8 September 2024). It will begin on Monday, October 9. "2.8 million tickets will go on sale," says Tony Estanguet, with prices between 15 and 100 euros. And this time, there will be no draw.