IOC looks to centralise Olympic Games ticketing

Tickets for the Olympic Games will soon be sold through a centralised system, rather than through Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATRs).

The process, which is apparently being finalised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is likely to be in place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

As part of the plan, ATRs are likely to continue distributing hospitality packages, while the organising committee will handle sales for all standalone tickets in which customers are planning their own transport and accommodation.

ATRs are appointed by local organising committees for specific countries and territories.

IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Christophe Dubi, told insidethegames at the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly, “one of the proposals for the future is that standalone tickets are very hard to handle for National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and ATRs because they have to take a huge risk over a contingent of tickets for that territory buying them in advance.

“The idea would be to say: hospitality, that has to stay the way it is via ATRs except that we want to introduce more Games related assets into hospitality packages. For example, dedicated access through security, or transportation, or specific lounges.

“London did this very well, but for the domestic market. We want to create a situation where, internationally, an ATR can acquire more of the Games assets with the organising committees.

“ATRs know their market very well and they would be the ones to continue to distribute hospitality packages, with better offers than we can do today. But for the famous standalone tickets, we’re exploring whether it would be easier for them to be handled by the organising committee in a more centralised system where anyone can buy them directly.

“At the same time it is now that simple because, depending on the countries, you would have some rules and regulations to abide by and you could not have open web sales just like that.

“The idea is that by the end of the year we have a review ticketing policy so we can proceed for Tokyo.”

Some ATRs have reportedly already signed ticketing agreements with NOCs for Tokyo 2020. 

Image: Rio Olympics tickets.

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