Rio bids to boost ticket sales *H&H VIP*
Only 12% of tickets for the 2016 Paralympics (7-18 September) have sold, but Rio organisers expect demand to increase closer to the Games.
The sales were opened to Brazilians last September and were available worldwide in November.
Rio organisers told H&H they believed most tickets would be bought by locals during and at the end of the Olympics.
“It is expected that the sales will increase closer to the Games,” a spokesman said. “Brazilians are not used to buying tickets in advance of big events.”
In addition, a campaign has been launched to boost interest in Paralympic sport in Brazil.
“The federal government are working in partnership with the Brazilian Paralympic committee to help spread the message,” said a spokesman.
He added that the low ticket prices will encourage locals to get involved.
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Tickets can be brought from R$10 (£2) and around two million are available for up to R$30 (£6).
Paralympic tickets for London 2012 were priced from £10 for adults and in total, more than 95% of tickets cost less than £50.
Sarah Armstrong, the British Equestrian Federation’s para performance manager, said the British team were focused on their task.
“Of course the team love the physical crowd support and the fabulous atmosphere it creates, but they are for sure absolutely focused on delivering their best performances in Rio,” she told H&H. “To return the team medal in Rio post a home Games would be a performance highlight for them all.
“Their preparation is on track and with just under six months to go I firmly believe the support will be there for them on the ground in Rio and media channels from home.”
Olympic ticket sales
Meanwhile, 50% of the 7.5million tickets for the Olympics have now been sold.
Tickets for this year’s games went on sale in April 2015 and many of those for equestrian sport are considerably cheaper than for London 2012.
The final chance Brits had to request specific tickets for Rio was in June 2015.
A “first come first served” system is still live on the website of official UK ticket seller CoSport. However, equestrian ticket packages are not currently available.
“Due to the high demand for individual tickets, CoSport will continue to request additional tickets from the Rio 2016 organising committee,” a CoSport spokesman told H&H.
“If we receive a larger quantity of tickets, we would send out an email notification to all account holders.
“Otherwise they would be posted on the website (www.cosport.co.uk) without any further announcement.”
In 2014, the organisers revealed that more than half the tickets would be sold at “accessible prices” to make it open for everyone.
This means that 3.8million were put on sale for less than R$70 (£14) — including cross-country tickets.
The most expensive equestrian event is the showjumping final, where prices range from R$300 (£58) to R$540 (£105). At London 2012, these were £35 and £275.
Dressage final tickets cost between R$140 (£27) and R$300 (£58).
Tickets bought in the UK will also be subject to handling fees.
A spokesman for the Games told H&H he does not have the percentage breakdown of the number of tickets sold for each sport or country.
Ref: H&H 7 April, 2016
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