15 January 2006
Thousands of new tickets to previously “fully subscribed” events including Swimming, Track Cycling, Gymnastics and Basketball preliminaries will be made available to all Australians from January 23.
Under the next stage of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games ticketing program, tickets will now be available to premier events, such as the final of the Men’s 100m Freestyle Final – expected to feature Ian Thorpe on Sunday 19 March and Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson’s debut for the Opals in Bendigo on Saturday March 18, which were previously fully subscribed.
Games organisers today revealed a bonus allocation of over 150,000 new tickets to night and day sessions of the Games’ most popular sports, at prices ranging from $15 through to $590, which will be made available to the public at 9am Monday, January 23.
The announcement follows the finalisation of detailed planning work at all venues resulting in an increase in the number of usable seats at many venues, as well as returns from other ticket allocations.
“We are delighted to make available new tickets to the general public, particularly to a number of sports that had previously been unavailable” Games CEO John Harnden said.
“These tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis.
“New tickets to other Games events including the Opening and Closing Ceremony, Diving, Hockey, Rugby 7s and Athletics will also be made available”.
These tickets will be available at www.melbourne2006.com.au through the Games hotline 1300 00 2006 or at Ticketmaster outlets across Australia from 9am Monday January 23.
Games Minister Justin Madden said the new tickets were great news for Games fans.
“There is a range of tickets available from January 23 – including family packages, with new tickets available across all price categories and include over 2700 Swimming, 1300 Track Cycling and 2700 Regional Basketball tickets”, Mr Madden said.
Games organisers also confirmed:
- A “Central Ticket Pool” will begin operation on Monday January 23 at 9am;
- A new advertising campaign begins today – Sunday January 15;
- A limited number of new tickets for national and international travel packages will be released; and
- The progressive release back into the Central Ticket Pool of tickets from other stakeholder groups.
“The central ticket pool will operate on a first come, first served basis, contain all remaining tickets and will replace the existing ‘preserved’ allocations,” Mr Harnden said.
“Our aim between now and the Opening Ceremony – in exactly two months time – is to give as many Australians as possible the chance to attend this once in the lifetime event”.
New tickets for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games can be purchased on-line at www.melbourne2006.com.au, over the phone on 1300 00 2006, or at Ticketmaster outlets across Australia from 9am on Monday January 23.
The Games will be a unique opportunity to witness 4500 elite athletes from 71 nations taking part in the XVIII Commonwealth Games to be held from 15-26 March 2006.
For further information on the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, go to www.melbourne2006.com.au.
For further information;
Simon Frost
0419 495 468
simon.frost@melbourne2006.com.au
Andrea Lucas
0417 558 126
andrea.lucas@melbourne2006.com.au
Ends.