Frequently Asked Questions
TICKET AVAILABILTY AND ACCESS
1. How many tickets will there be for the Vancouver 2010
Olympic Winter Games?
There will be approximately 1.6 million tickets in total.
There will be approximately 1.6 million tickets in total.
2. How many tickets will there be for the Vancouver 2010
Paralympic Winter Games?
There will be approximately 250,000 tickets in total. Tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will go on sale in 2009. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
There will be approximately 250,000 tickets in total. Tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will go on sale in 2009. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
3. Who has access to buy tickets?
Canadian residents: Canadian residents will be
able to purchase tickets directly through vancouver2010.com or
through a sales agent authorized by VANOC. For up-to-date
information as it’s announced,
subscribe
at vancouver2010.com.
International spectators: According to IOC rules,
international spectators must purchase tickets through the
authorized sales agent for their National Olympic Committee. For
example, US residents will purchase tickets to the 2010 Winter
Games though
Jet Set Sports and
CoSport, the exclusive public
ticket sales agent of the US Olympic Committee.
The Olympic Family: As is required of all Olympic
Organizing Committees, approximately 30 per cent of the tickets
will be held for key partners that participate directly in the
staging of the Games – commonly referred to as the
Olympic Family. The Olympic family includes athletes and their
families, National Olympic Committees and international
sport federations, media and broadcasters who tell the story of the
Games to a global audience, and VANOC sponsors whose financial
investment contributes directly to staging the Games.
4. Does the Olympic Family get to buy their tickets before
Canadian residents?
The Olympic Family will have the option to purchase tickets prior to the general public; however, they will select their tickets from a limited quota and not from the quota held for the general public. As a Host City, VANOC has a contractual obligation to make tickets available for purchase by the Olympic Family. By allowing the Olympic Family to buy their quota of tickets prior to the general public, VANOC ensures that any unsold tickets in the Olympic Family quota are then made available for sale to the public.
The Olympic Family will have the option to purchase tickets prior to the general public; however, they will select their tickets from a limited quota and not from the quota held for the general public. As a Host City, VANOC has a contractual obligation to make tickets available for purchase by the Olympic Family. By allowing the Olympic Family to buy their quota of tickets prior to the general public, VANOC ensures that any unsold tickets in the Olympic Family quota are then made available for sale to the public.
5. Does the Olympic Family get access to free
tickets?
a) Members of the Olympic Family must purchase tickets at the same price as is available to the Canadian public.
a) Members of the Olympic Family must purchase tickets at the same price as is available to the Canadian public.
b) As part of Games-time operations, a working area will exist
within each venue for athletes, working staff and key personnel
with proper accreditation.
6. Do people from British Columbia have a greater chance to
get tickets than others?
All Canadian residents will have equal access to all available tickets.
All Canadian residents will have equal access to all available tickets.
7. What is the status of tickets to the nightly Victory
Ceremonies?
A ticket program is being developed for the nightly Victory Ceremonies and will be announced once determined. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
A ticket program is being developed for the nightly Victory Ceremonies and will be announced once determined. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
8. What is the status of Cultural Olympiad tickets?
A program is being developed for tickets to the Cultural Olympiad and will be announced once it has been determined. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
A program is being developed for tickets to the Cultural Olympiad and will be announced once it has been determined. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
9. Will there be any tickets available to
charities?
Together with its partners, VANOC is also following through on its bid commitment to purchase and donate 50,000 tickets to charitable organizations. A breakdown on the allocation of these tickets to Olympic, Paralympic and cultural events will be developed in the future.
Together with its partners, VANOC is also following through on its bid commitment to purchase and donate 50,000 tickets to charitable organizations. A breakdown on the allocation of these tickets to Olympic, Paralympic and cultural events will be developed in the future.
10. Will you have a call centre for people with questions
or should questions be submitted online?
At this time we encourage people to review the information and frequently asked questions available on vancouver2010.com and to submit any additional questions online. A call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale in October 2008.
At this time we encourage people to review the information and frequently asked questions available on vancouver2010.com and to submit any additional questions online. A call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale in October 2008.
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMELINES
11. When will tickets be available for sale?
The first phase of the tickets sales program for Canadian residents will begin in October 2008. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
The first phase of the tickets sales program for Canadian residents will begin in October 2008. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
Tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be sold
in phases, with specific dates for the phases still to be
determined. Every step of the ticket program is designed to be
simple, fair and accessible for anyone interested in buying
tickets.
Phase 1: October 2008 through early 2009
Phase 1 of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket program will
move through four stages: Application Period, Lotteries,
Notification and Add-On Period.
-
Application Period: The application period refers to a set period of time (for example, number of days) that offers the best chance for Canadian residents to secure the tickets they want, especially those in high-demand. A user-friendly application, including payment information, must be completed and submitted within the application period to be eligible. Payments will not be processed until the application period has closed and tickets have been allocated. All applications received during this time will be weighted equally.
-
Lotteries: A lottery will be held for all oversubscribed sessions and ticket packages. By holding a random lottery for sessions or packages with greater demand than availability, this will ensure tickets are distributed fairly.
-
Notification: All applicants will be notified regarding sessions and/or packages they have secured. Seat locations will be confirmed at a later date.
-
Exclusive Add-on Period: All applicants, whether successful in their application or not, will have the opportunity to purchase remaining unsold tickets before they are released to those who missed the initial application period.
Phase 2: Early 2009
Remaining unsold tickets will be available for public sale.
Canadian residents who missed the initial application period can
purchase these unsold tickets at this time.
Seat assignment period: mid to late 2009
All tickets purchased up to this point will be assigned specific seat locations - determined once venue configurations have been finalized. Seat locations will be assigned based on variables such as the date or time an application or purchase was made.
All tickets purchased up to this point will be assigned specific seat locations - determined once venue configurations have been finalized. Seat locations will be assigned based on variables such as the date or time an application or purchase was made.
Phase 3: On completion of the seat assignment
period, any remaining unsold tickets will be available for
purchase. Tickets purchased at this time will be sold directly into
available seat locations.
12. How will the lottery work?
In cases where ticket demand exceeds the available ticket supply in Phase 1, the ticketing system software will use a random selection process (lottery) to ensure the fairest possible ticket distribution.
In cases where ticket demand exceeds the available ticket supply in Phase 1, the ticketing system software will use a random selection process (lottery) to ensure the fairest possible ticket distribution.
13. Why will there be lotteries as opposed to
“first come, first served”?
Lotteries have proven to be the most objective and fair process in providing equal opportunity for everyone interested in buying tickets. A lottery-style process has been used for six other Olympic Games, including the upcoming Summer Games in Beijing 2008, as well as Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004 and Torino 2006.
Lotteries have proven to be the most objective and fair process in providing equal opportunity for everyone interested in buying tickets. A lottery-style process has been used for six other Olympic Games, including the upcoming Summer Games in Beijing 2008, as well as Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004 and Torino 2006.
TICKET SALES PROCESS
14. How will I be able to buy tickets?
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket program has been developed with simplicity, fairness and accessibility in mind. During Phase 1, Canadian residents will be able to complete and submit user-friendly applications through vancouver2010.com. Residents who don’t have access to the internet will be able to request, by phone, a Ticket Request Form which will then be mailed to them. A dedicated call centre will be established for Phases 2 and 3. Ticket box office locations will open closer to Games time. Non-Canadian residents must purchase tickets through the authorized sales agent for their NOC. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket program has been developed with simplicity, fairness and accessibility in mind. During Phase 1, Canadian residents will be able to complete and submit user-friendly applications through vancouver2010.com. Residents who don’t have access to the internet will be able to request, by phone, a Ticket Request Form which will then be mailed to them. A dedicated call centre will be established for Phases 2 and 3. Ticket box office locations will open closer to Games time. Non-Canadian residents must purchase tickets through the authorized sales agent for their NOC. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
PLEASE NOTE: Aside from
vancouver2010.com
and
Vancouver
2010 Official Sponsors, any individual or group claiming to
have access to 2010 Olympic Winter Games tickets is making that
claim falsely. Once Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games tickets are available for sale to the general public, buyers
should be aware that tickets bought from any unauthorized source
may not be valid and may not be accepted for entry to 2010 Winter
Games venues.
15. How will I know if I am buying tickets through an
authorized source?
Before committing to your purchase, we recommend that you review the list of authorized sales sources that will be available on vancouver2010.com. Additionally, a call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale and will be able to address any questions you may have.
Before committing to your purchase, we recommend that you review the list of authorized sales sources that will be available on vancouver2010.com. Additionally, a call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale and will be able to address any questions you may have.
16. Will tickets be available in packages?
Yes, ticket packages will be available in addition to individual sessions. A ticket package will take timing and transportation into consideration and will be a convenient way to plan your Games experience. We are currently developing packages that will include multiple sessions and events and will provide further details in the future. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive package updates as they are made available.
Yes, ticket packages will be available in addition to individual sessions. A ticket package will take timing and transportation into consideration and will be a convenient way to plan your Games experience. We are currently developing packages that will include multiple sessions and events and will provide further details in the future. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive package updates as they are made available.
17. Will there be access for persons with a
disability?
Yes, every venue will be barrier-free and will include wheelchair accessible seating.
Yes, every venue will be barrier-free and will include wheelchair accessible seating.
18. Will there be a limit to how many tickets one person
can buy?
Fans will have the chance to buy tickets for every session; however, some sessions will have limits on how many tickets can be purchased. For example, one session may have a limit of four tickets per person.
Fans will have the chance to buy tickets for every session; however, some sessions will have limits on how many tickets can be purchased. For example, one session may have a limit of four tickets per person.
PRICING
19. How much will tickets cost?
Depending on the session, tickets for Olympic sport events will cost between $25 and $775, with more than 50 per cent of tickets priced at $100 or less. Tickets for Opening and Closing Ceremonies are priced between $175 and $1,100.
Depending on the session, tickets for Olympic sport events will cost between $25 and $775, with more than 50 per cent of tickets priced at $100 or less. Tickets for Opening and Closing Ceremonies are priced between $175 and $1,100.
20. How many tickets* are $100 or less?
More than 790,000 or 50 per cent of total
More than 790,000 or 50 per cent of total
21. How many tickets* are $25?
More than 100,000 or 6 per cent of total
More than 100,000 or 6 per cent of total
*Number of tickets includes all sports and Opening and Closing
Ceremonies.
22. What does the price of my ticket include?
The price of each ticket will include access to that specific session and all events within that session. Ticket prices also include GST (Goods and Services Tax), where applicable.
The price of each ticket will include access to that specific session and all events within that session. Ticket prices also include GST (Goods and Services Tax), where applicable.
23. Will tickets include transportation?
A transportation plan is currently being considered. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
A transportation plan is currently being considered. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
24. Will there be additional charges?
Comparable to other events, service charges, administration fees and delivery charges may apply.
Comparable to other events, service charges, administration fees and delivery charges may apply.
25. When will you know if there will be additional charges?
We are in the planning stages of determining what additional charges are necessary to fulfill ticket requests, orders and delivery. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
We are in the planning stages of determining what additional charges are necessary to fulfill ticket requests, orders and delivery. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
26. How have the ticket prices been determined?
We want to ensure that the 2010 Winter Games are accessible to all Canadian residents. Pricing was determined after a thorough process, including Canadian general public research, review of past Games, as well as feedback and approvals from the Vancouver 2010 Board of Directors and the International Olympic Committee.
We want to ensure that the 2010 Winter Games are accessible to all Canadian residents. Pricing was determined after a thorough process, including Canadian general public research, review of past Games, as well as feedback and approvals from the Vancouver 2010 Board of Directors and the International Olympic Committee.
Factors that shaped ticket price range were:
-
balancing VANOC’s commitment to provide a large quantity of affordable tickets to the public with the goal of leaving a positive financial legacy – for example, tickets in higher price categories allow VANOC to offer a large number of lower priced tickets
-
previous Olympic Winter Games ticket prices
-
Canadian attendance research study conducted by VANOC
-
other event ticket prices such as NHL hockey, CFL football and concerts
-
consideration of the Canadian economy and general inflation
27. How do 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket prices
compare to ticket prices for other major sport events?
|
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Sporting Events: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $25 | Highest priced ticket $775 CAD |
|
World Cup 2006 – Germany: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket 35.00 € / $50 CAD
(1 Euro = 1.43257 $CAD) |
Highest priced ticket 600.00 € / $860 CAD |
|
EURO 2008 – Austria/Switzerland: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket 45.00 € / $64 CAD
(1 Euro = 1.43257 $CAD) |
Highest priced ticket 550.00 € / $788 CAD |
|
2008 Super Bowl XLII: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $700 USD | Highest priced ticket $900 USD |
|
2007 Stanley Cup Finals: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $110 USD | Highest priced ticket $903 USD |
|
2007 World Series: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $75 USD | Highest priced ticket $250 USD |
|
2008 US PGA Open: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $40 USD | Highest priced ticket $595 USD |
|
2007 PGA Championship: |
|
| Lowest priced ticket $33 USD | Highest priced ticket $125 USD |
28. What forms of payment will be accepted?
In recognition of the Visa Olympic Games sponsorship, we are proud to accept Visa as the only payment card. Most other standard methods of payment will be accepted. Complete payment options and details will be announced in the next year. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
In recognition of the Visa Olympic Games sponsorship, we are proud to accept Visa as the only payment card. Most other standard methods of payment will be accepted. Complete payment options and details will be announced in the next year. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive ticket updates and announcements as they are made available.
29. Are there discounts in ticket prices for children,
people with a disability, students or senior citizens?
There are no discounts in ticket prices. Ticket prices are the same for everybody.
There are no discounts in ticket prices. Ticket prices are the same for everybody.
30. How much revenue do you hope to raise through the
ticket program?
It is our goal to raise more than $230 million through ticket sales.
It is our goal to raise more than $230 million through ticket sales.
31. What do the different price categories mean? (A, B, C,
D)
Prices have been divided into categories in order to offer the widest range of price options possible. The number of price categories offered per sport depends on the configuration and capacity of each venue. Category A represents the premier seats in a venue and therefore has the highest price, Category B, the second highest price, and so on. A general seating map of each venue will be available when tickets go on sale in October 2008. At that time, all price categories, including any general admission standing room tickets, will be indicated on these maps. Specific seat and category locations will be determined once the venue configurations are confirmed in 2009.
Prices have been divided into categories in order to offer the widest range of price options possible. The number of price categories offered per sport depends on the configuration and capacity of each venue. Category A represents the premier seats in a venue and therefore has the highest price, Category B, the second highest price, and so on. A general seating map of each venue will be available when tickets go on sale in October 2008. At that time, all price categories, including any general admission standing room tickets, will be indicated on these maps. Specific seat and category locations will be determined once the venue configurations are confirmed in 2009.
RE-SELLING TICKETS, UNAUTHORIZED TICKET SALES AND FRAUD
32. How will I know if I am buying tickets through an
authorized source?
Before committing to your purchase, we recommend that you review the list of authorized sales sources that will be available on vancouver2010.com. Additionally, a call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale and will be able to address any questions you may have.
Before committing to your purchase, we recommend that you review the list of authorized sales sources that will be available on vancouver2010.com. Additionally, a call centre will be established prior to tickets going on sale and will be able to address any questions you may have.
33. What happens if I buy tickets through an unauthorized
source?
Tickets purchased through unauthorized sources may not be accepted at the venue and will be at the expense of the ticket holder.
Tickets purchased through unauthorized sources may not be accepted at the venue and will be at the expense of the ticket holder.
34. How can I be sure that my tickets are
legitimate?
The only way to ensure that your tickets are legitimate is to buy them through an authorized source. A list of authorized sales sources will be available on vancouver2010.com.
The only way to ensure that your tickets are legitimate is to buy them through an authorized source. A list of authorized sales sources will be available on vancouver2010.com.
35. How will you guard against counterfeiting tickets?
The tickets will have several security features that will allow us to identify an authentic 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket. In addition, access control will be in place at all venues allowing VANOC to scan authentic tickets and disable tickets sold or purchased through unauthorized sources.
The tickets will have several security features that will allow us to identify an authentic 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticket. In addition, access control will be in place at all venues allowing VANOC to scan authentic tickets and disable tickets sold or purchased through unauthorized sources.
36. What if I buy tickets in 2008 and then
can’t attend in 2010?
We are developing an online ticket exchange program that will allow spectators who have purchased tickets but cannot attend to post their tickets for re-sale. A similar option is being explored where spectators will be able to donate tickets they cannot use to a local charity.
We are developing an online ticket exchange program that will allow spectators who have purchased tickets but cannot attend to post their tickets for re-sale. A similar option is being explored where spectators will be able to donate tickets they cannot use to a local charity.
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