Pan Am Games soccer tickets go on sale
Tickets cost between $25-$40, often get you admission into two games
The ticket lottery for next summer’s Pan Am Games is now open, giving Hamiltonians the chance to score a seat at the soccer events here.
Between now and Oct. 6, you can bid for tickets for your preferred events, including the TO2015 opening ceremonies, which will feature a performance by Cirque du Soleil. In cases where demand outstrips the supply of tickets, you’ll have to cross your fingers.
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Soccer-wise, you can choose to buy tickets to men’s or women’s games, but it’s not clear what countries you’ll see play. Every $25 ticket gets you admission into two games during the preliminary rounds, so you can see four different countries in action.
Teddy Katz, Chief Spokesman for TO2015, said the lottery system was used at other sports mega-events like the London and Vancouver Olympics and “ensures everyone has equal access to the most in demand tickets.”
“We are encouraging people to request their tickets in this early phase to ensure they don’t miss the opportunity to see their favourite events,” he said via email.
It doesn’t matter if you request tickets now or on Oct. 5, nor do you get preferential treatment based on how many tickets you’re buying, Katz said.
Tickets to the soccer events cost $25-$40. The games are scheduled for July 11-26, with games at Hamilton’s new stadium (which will be called the CIBC Pan Am Soccer Stadium during the tournament) mostly being played between 5 and 10 p.m.
The higher price point applies to the medal rounds, which will be played from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26.
“We have priced our tickets to be affordable for families,” Katz said, adding half-price tickets are available for people under 16 or over 65.
Katz said there are 400,000 soccer tickets available during the tournament — making up a huge chunk of the 1.4 million tickets available for the games.
On the women’s side, Canada is a strong contender but will face stiff competition from several Latin countries. The U.S. — the national team’s big rival — is not sending a team to the games.
Brazil and Argentina are favoured in the men’s competition, though Mexico enter the games as the defending champions.