Up to one million tickets for the UK’s next big sporting celebration will go on sale from 10am today (Monday, 19 August) as the starting pistol is fired for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Marking the 10am launch with a splash in every sense, Commonwealth and Olympic swimming star, and just-announced Glasgow 2014 ambassador, Michael Jamieson will dive into the newly re-furbished Tollcross International Swimming Centre for the first time – the pool where he hopes to win one of Team Scotland’s first gold medals on the first night of competition.
For Glaswegian Michael the pool holds special memories as it’s where he trained as a youngster and today he will share the historic moment with young swimmers from Glasgow School of Sport, who all hope to be swimming champions of the future.
Next summer will see 4,500 athletes from 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth compete for gold and glory in Glasgow. Within the Glasgow 2014 Ticketing Programme there’s something for everyone, across 17 sports and 11 days of competition, with family-friendly pricing and a simple application process. The four-week ticketing phase is open from today until 16 September offering fans the opportunity to experience the action and thrills of the Games with two-thirds of tickets priced at £25 or less.
Ticket applications can be made from 10am on glasgow2014.com/tickets or via postal applications forms distributed nationwide with the Official Ticketing Guide. It makes no difference whether fans apply on the first day, last day or in between, but all applications must be received by 6pm on 16 September.
Everyone will have the same opportunity to apply for the tickets they want over the four week period. It’s a brilliant opportunity to experience world-class competition in all the sports you already love and experience new thrills of elite athletes going for Gold in sports you’ve never seen live or at that level before. It makes no difference whether you apply on the first day, last day or in between – so take time to explore the sports programme and plan your application with your family and friends.
Access to sporting events will start from just £15 for adults. Half-price concessions will also be available for under 16s – a Commonwealth Games first – and the over-60s. The price of a ticket also includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event.
As part of the simple and accessible ticketing process at least 70% of all tickets to all sporting events will be available to the public, and a number of different payment methods can be used.
Michael Jamieson said: “Glasgow 2014 is going to be one of the highlights of my career and I’m delighted to be an Official Ambassador for the Games. As well as being an athlete the great thing for me as a sports fan is being able to attend other events and I can’t wait to get to see as much as I can at Glasgow 2014.
“The difference between watching a big multi-sport event on television or actually being there and experiencing it is second to none. You can feel the support of the crowd, the noise from the stadium and being in front of a home crowd will just add to the excitement. I would encourage as many people as possible to get tickets and come and be part of the action. These are elite athletes in every one of the 17 sports competing against their rivals so no matter which sport you get tickets for you will be enthralled, excited and entertained. There is nothing to beat live sport.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added: “In less than one year’s time, Team Scotland hopes to be fielding its biggest team ever at Glasgow 2014. Our athletes in 17 sports will be ready to go up against the best in the Commonwealth and make their mark at the biggest international sporting event to come to these shores.
“We urge the public to buy tickets now to ensure that the venues are filled with Saltire flags and cheering Scots, helping to make home advantage count. From swimming to weightlifting our athletes are training hard to give you something to shout about, so come along and play your part in the Games!”