2016 Rio Olympics: 1.2 million tickets for Games already sold

Unprecedented figures come just a week after tickets went on sale.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilians have solicited some 1.2 million tickets for next year’s Rio Olympics a week after tickets went on sale, announced the organisers.

The organising committee said residents of the host nation had applied from around the country for all sports, with the most popular events to date being volleyball, football — which is being held in six cities — and basketball.

In all, 7.2 million tickets will be sold and last week saw the start of a two-stage lottery for applications via the official website www.rio2016.com.

Some 70% of the tickets for the first Games to be held in South America will be reserved for residents of Brazil.

Around one million more will be distributed abroad via national Olympic committees.

The first distribution phase will end on April 30 and the results of who has obtained what will be announced in June, ahead of a second lottery in July, prioritizing unsuccessful first-wave applicants.

A real-time, first come first served, sale of remaining tickets will follow from October for Brazilians and Brazil residents, ahead of box office sales for what remains.

Just over half of the tickets will be available for 70 reais or less.

Pensioners, the disabled and students will enjoy half price concessions, meaning the cheapest deal of all will be just 20 reais.

Three percent of tickets will cost upwards of 600 reais for marquee events, including the men’s 100m final.

The most expensive seats of all will be box seats for the opening ceremony at the Maracana stadium costing a hefty 4600 reais. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th,  2015.

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