Nearly 9m tickets sold for Olympics

With only a few months to go before the start of the 2024 Olympic Games, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has revealed that ticket sales have hit a record high, with nearly 9 million having already been snapped up.

The impressive milestone of selling more tickets ahead of the event than has ever been sold before has created an atmosphere comparable to that felt in 1924, 100 years ago, when the French capital became the first city to host the Olympic Games for a second time.

In 2024, Paris will host the Olympic Games for a third time, a record shared with London, a testament to the international prestige of the two major European cities that are also two of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee told China Daily the sale of pack tickets began on Feb 15, 2023 following a draw process that was held between Dec 1, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023. Single tickets became available in May 2023.

Range of prices

Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will run between July 26 and Aug 11, faced criticism at the end of last year from people who said tickets were too expensive. In response, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Tony Estanguet issued a statement on Dec 20, 2023 reassuring people that ticket prices for the event were similar to those of past events, including London 2012 and Tokyo 2021.

Estanguet explained that ticket prices would range from around 27 euros ($29.3) to more than 1,000 euros.

Stephane, a 23-year-old university student, told China Daily: "After the draw of soccer, I tried to buy tickets from the end of March, but the prices seem to be higher for me. There are a few tickets available in the standard category. Other categories are more expensive."

Anissa, a 28-year-old pharmacist, told China Daily: "I purchased some tickets with my family. I had intended to buy more, but the price range was higher, so I only bought a few. A popular event should have lower prices."

The organizing committee said soccer, athletics, basketball, and sevens rugby were among the most popular sports, in terms of ticket sales. Other favorites include volleyball, handball, beach volleyball, field hockey, tennis, and water polo.

While some sessions have already sold out, tickets are continuously being released on the official platform, with a resale platform set to open in May that will accommodate last-minute purchases.

In a bid to ensure inclusivity, the organizers have introduced special programs, including one for host cities that allows host cities to purchase 1 million tickets, split evenly between the Olympics and Paralympics, to support social and engagement projects.

One baby, one ticket

Olympic regulations mandate that "all spectators, regardless of age, must possess a valid ticket for entry into an Olympic venue".

Tom Baker, 37, from London, England, who is expecting his first child in May along with wife Kate, expressed surprise about the requirement for everyone attending to have a ticket, telling French TV channel BFM that babies do not need their own seat.

He said he contacted the organizing committee and was told tickets to events at the Paralympics offered discounted rates for children but not those for the Olympics.

The committee said in a statement to AFP that people were being discouraged from bringing children under 4 to venues. Policies vary across sports; while Euro and World Cup soccer require seating for all ages, sports including rugby, cricket, and athletics often allow babies free entry.

Additionally, the committee told China Daily it will finance 100,000 tickets, valued at approximately 2 million euros, to be distributed among host cities for various groups. These include individuals with disabilities, people facing precarious circumstances, young people from priority education networks, aspiring athletes, and residents from priority neighborhoods.