Coe Defends Olympic Ticketing Process

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 154 months ago
Coe Defends Olympic Ticketing Process

Seb Coe got on the PR bus yesterday to do the media rounds defending LOCOG's Olympic ticketing process.

Lots of people were always going to be disappointed. Congratulations if you got some tickets in the first round of sales. If you didn't and you're sore about it, quit moaning and look on the bright side:

  • There's still hope. Some people's card payments failed in the first round. Their tickets are being allocated to others this week. Your card will be debited by Friday if you get lucky.
  • Details of the next process for bidding for "hundreds of thousands of tickets and those tickets are at all price points" will be revealed by 24 June. The Guardian reckons "those who received nothing at all will get the first opportunity to select from those tickets still remaining – understood to include athletics heats – on a first come, first served basis. After that, it will be opened up to everyone else who applied in the first phase before another open sales phase in November."
  • Up to a million more tickets will be released next year when venue capacities are confirmed.
  • Meanwhile, tickets for London Prepares test events are on sale.
  • Tickets for the Paralympics go on sale in September.
  • There are a number of events that do not require a ticket, including Athletics – Marathon, Athletics – Race Walk, Cycling – Road (Road Race), Cycling – Road (Time Trial) and the Cycling element of Triathlon.
  • Four Festival Live Sites will provide big screen communal coverage in Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Trafalgar Square and Potters Fields, plus there'll be big screens in Walthamstow and Woolwich too.
  • We're still waiting for an announcement about access to the Olympic Park for those who just want to hang out, drink a Heineken and soak up the Games vibe without watching an event

But if you're gagging to get your hands on actual tickets right now. You could discreetly brush up your German or fork our for a Games Break but beware of unauthorised resellers trying to cash in on your desperation.

Last Updated 09 June 2011