Fulfilling its commitment to allow all to enjoy the Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) revealed details today of its affordable ticketing program. Fifty-eight percent of all tickets for sale will be priced at or below RMB 100 (US$12.7). Among these will be a significant percentage of tickets reserved for Chinese students.

In negotiating the pricing, BOCOG evaluated the ticketing policies of previous Olympic Games and other major international events, consulted with experts in the field and undertook extensive market research. Throughout the process, the Organizing Committee was guided by its commitment to ensure the greatest number of people would be able to experience the Olympic values and spirit.

According to the ticketing policy, the prices for sports sessions will range between RMB 30 and RMB 1,000. For preliminary sessions, the tickets will be priced between RMB 30 and RMB 300, while for event finals, this will increase to between RMB 60 and RMB 1,000. The lowest priced ticket for the Opening Ceremony will be RMB 200, while the highest priced ticket will be RMB 5,000, as compared to RMB 150 to RMB 3,000 for the Closing Ceremony.

In line with BOCOG's Olympic Education Program, BOCOG has earmarked a number of tickets to encourage attendance among China's youth. About 14 percent of tickets available will be reserved for Chinese students.

Tickets will go on sale in China in the first half of 2007. More details of the ticketing program will be released at that time.

The IOC, having encouraged BOCOG to find a pricing program in line with the local market, approved the plans, commenting, "The IOC is very pleased that BOCOG has found an affordable ticketing program which will maximize the opportunity for the Chinese public to enjoy the Games, whilst balancing with interest from the international community."

(BOCOG November 29, 2006)