Press Release

Have your say on 2012 ticketing
11-2-2010   085

There will be over 9 million tickets available for the 2012 Games, but who will get them and what is a fair price to pay to see an Olympic event?

The London Assembly is calling on Londoners to have their say ahead of the official announcement of the ticketing strategy later this year. They are launching a special online discussion forum today [Thursday 11 February] and a summary of the comments will be presented to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

LOCOG are working with Ticketmaster to distribute the tickets, which will go on sale through a ballot in 2011. 7.7 million will be available for the Olympics and 1.5 million for the Paralympic Games.

A 2009 survey[1] found that more than 44 per cent of Londoners want to go to the Games, a total of 3.3 million people that would potentially account for more than a third of tickets.

LOCOG have pledged that as many people as possible should be able to attend and initially suggested that more than 4.3 million tickets would be under £20 - but official prices have not yet been announced.

The review, by the Assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee, will look at all aspects of ticketing, including supply, affordability, the risks of fraud and how to fill seats at less popular events.

The committee will discuss the issues with representatives from the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and the O2 Arena at their public meeting on 24 February[2].

Dee Doocey, Chair of the Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee said,

“Given how much Londoners have paid for the Games, we want to ensure their views are taken into account before LOCOG make their final decision.

“Our new online discussion forum is the perfect way to let us know what you think about a range of issues, from price to accessibility, touting and filling empty seats.
 
“Demand for tickets will no doubt be high and there are still some crucial questions to be answered.  Will local people get priority? Will there be discounts for school children? The whole process has to be fair and transparent.”

Have your say at www.london.gov.uk/2012tickets

Notes to Editors

1. London Councils, Mar 2009. www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/London%20Councils/LondonCouncilsMRUKOlympicsResearchReport.pdf
2. Frances Done, former Chief Executive of the Manchester Organising Committee of the 2002 Commonwealth Games (now chair of Youth Justice Board) and Paul Newman, Head of Ticketing at The O2 will appear before the committee on 24 February. http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/meetings.jsp
3. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

Dee Doocey AM is available for interviews. For more details, please contact Alastair Cowan in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4504. 

For out of hours media enquiries please call 0207 983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.

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