Empty seats?

[absenteebee]

Whose fault?

Top tickets too pricey or corporate sponsors or Olympic delegates? I dunno.

 

[Gee Bee]

Whose fault?

Top tickets too pricey or corporate sponsors or Olympic delegates? I dunno.

Top seats purchased or given to sponsors in the main, and not be ing used, plus other seats belonging to competitors etc, who with most still in teh competitions, you wont see filling up until they are out and have more time to watch.
Visa, said something about some seats being empty that had been won in competitions. Preseume the winners thought they woudl get something they wanted to watch and didn't fancy a long trek to London fro an early start to watch in gymanastics.
This sort of thing is quite usual these days, see how many empty seats at Wembley, Emeirates etc which belong to corporates.

 

[Hullbee]

Does it really matter at the end if the if you really wanted to see an event you would have got your ticket 12 months ago. People complaining are the ones who have jumped on the band wagon late. As long as the seats have been sold to pay for the event I could not care less if they are used. Bit like club wembly tickets...

 

[absenteebee]

Not everyone could afford to buy the chance of tickets. Don't you think such people will be rather pissed off that there are empty seats when they may have paid what they could afford for them?

 

[Deathstroke]

Does it really matter at the end if the if you really wanted to see an event you would have got your ticket 12 months ago. People complaining are the ones who have jumped on the band wagon late. As long as the seats have been sold to pay for the event I could not care less if they are used. Bit like club wembly tickets...

The ticketing process didn't work like that.

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

I can understand it being a bit irritating for those who tried for tickets and couldn't get them, but I think the problem is being over-stated: they have to set aside 5% of seats for those linked to Olympic teams, and they are less likely to be used when the potential users' colleague isn't competing. Not sure how they can check in advance which will be filled and which won't.

 

[mhead bee]

People complaining are the ones who have jumped on the band wagon late. ..

Nonsense. You had to bid for the tickets you wanted, pay full amount up front then get what you were given...if anything! I know at least 15 people who bid for several tickets taking a chance on parting with several thousand pounds they could ill afford in the hope of getting one. Only one person got an event, nobody else was successful. To see the seats empty is an insult. If you can't see that do not comment on the thread.

 

[Hullbee]

Not everyone could afford to buy the chance of tickets. Don't you think such people will be rather pissed off that there are empty seats when they may have paid what they could afford for them?

Plenty of free outside events to watch!! Most empty seats have been at qualification sessions were tickets could have been purchased cheaply a year ago... The event costs 10 billion which I was sooner coveredby those attending rather than the tax payer!!

 

[mhead bee]

but I think the problem is being over-stated: they have to set aside 5% of seats for those linked to Olympic teams, and they are less likely to be used when the potential users' colleague isn't competing.

i disagree, there are more than just a few or 5% of seats empty. There is tumble weed blowing though some of the stadiums.

We have spent 20 odd billion building the best stadiums and corporate hospitality in the world, the people who have the tickets will only go when it gets interesting depriving people who want to take their kids to any event just to feel part of it. I wonder if we had put a similar amount of money into the athletes and sport in general how many medals we may have picked up by now.

 

[Hullbee]

Nonsense. I know at least 15 people who bid for several tickets taking a chance on parting with several thousand pounds they could ill afford in the hope of getting one. Only one person got an event, nobody else was successful. To see the seats empty is an insult. If you can't see that do not comment on the thread.

Perhaps they should have spread there range of events better people looking for the most popular stuff will always be disappointed... For me it's about attending the games rather than what you watch... So much green eyed moaning

 

[mhead bee]

Plenty of free outside events to watch!! Most empty seats have been at qualification sessions were tickets could have been purchased cheaply a year ago... The event costs 10 billion which I was sooner coveredby those attending rather than the tax payer!!

What...so you don't think the tax payer has contributed to the 10bn cost........ beggars belief!

 

[mhead bee]

Perhaps they should have spread there range of events better people looking for the most popular stuff will always be disappointed... For me it's about attending the games rather than what you watch... So much green eyed moaning

Erm..........they did. They went for anything they could that was within price range. The tickets are being drip fed onto the website and are very very expensive. I think quite a few of my friends ARE jealous, very jealous that they have been priced out of taking part in this fantastic event by corporations who can not be arsed to turn up.

You are very very wrong, I suggest you should just stop now as you clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[To Bee Someone]

I put in two applications, one in my little brothers name, and got sweet fa. I went for a bit of everything as well and mixed up the price bands too. I know it is luck of the draw but I will be really annoyed if there are empty seats at the velodrome whereupon I applied for four or five sessions of cycling

 

[To Bee Someone]

That said, I saw tickets for £50 for the swimming finals late last night, so if you persevere you may get lucky. I wasn't btw but I'll still keep trying

 

[wanderer paul]

Does it really matter at the end if the if you really wanted to see an event you would have got your ticket 12 months ago. People complaining are the ones who have jumped on the band wagon late. As long as the seats have been sold to pay for the event I could not care less if they are used. Bit like club wembly tickets...

That's rubbish.

I applied for nearly a thousand pounds worth, all at different events, at the lower prices admittedly, for mens and womens, heats and not finals, I got £100 worth allocated.

A lot of the seats that haven't been taken are in the higher price brackets I'd guess. The pricing for some of the events were too high. You can still purchase tickets now at some events but need to collect, which means if you have early start tickets, you have to collect the day before.

I keep logging on to check if any have been returned and available for purchase at a reasonable price. Missed basketball ones for today whilst I was checking on train times!!

Even Olympic Park tickets are sold out. Would've liked to have just toured the park.

Not all tickets have been sold..... Have the coca cola and sponsors purchased all their tickets? Or were they given as the companies are main sponsors of the event? So no money has changed hands..

 

[Stanley]

Corporate tickets are a way of life for sporting events these days, anyway as said above it has been reported that are most are those taken up by the IOC for competitors and alike etc so no wonder they are not being used. Look back at past Olympics and this is a common trend and in most cases the venues have been very empty in the early days. At Athens the heats for the Atheletics attracted very low numbers and in China they were busing in paid crowds...

This is a non issue as usual built up by a media and anybody else desperate for a negative story on the Olympics, the crowds so far have been very impressive.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

Nonsense. You had to bid for the tickets you wanted, pay full amount up front then get what you were given...if anything! .

That's not how I remember the process. If you got no tickets then nothing would be taken from your bank account at any stage of the process would it? Did u really apply for tickets mheadbee? Sorry about you & your 15 unsuccessful friends. :suspect:

 

[bees66]

I don't like there attitude, If your not in your seats within 30 minutes you will lose your seats.. at the end of the day it was the pricing.. put the blame on us.. ****ers, give the seats to teachers, children and soldiers they said... there thinking is childish ffs

 

[mhead bee]

That's not how I remember the process. If you got no tickets then nothing would be taken from your bank account at any stage of the process would it? Did u really apply for tickets mheadbee? Sorry about you & your 15 unsuccessful friends. :suspect:

The point being, and I am sure the one you are deliberately misunderstanding for effect, is that if you applied for one event then the chances are very low of getting the ticket. If you apply for 10 then you run the risk of paying out money you may not be able to afford if you end up with several. Quite a gamble for someone on low income.

I have friends who were residents in Athens during the Olympics and they used to go to the local stall on the corner of any road in the morning. They attendant would do a quick search on their system for the tickets available on that day and they would pay for the tickets and hey presto go and see an event.

The lottery thing we did was daft. In this day and age we should have been able to manage it much better.

 

[mhead bee]

Look back at past Olympics and this is a common trend .

Doesn't make it right, we should have done better.

 

[Hullbee]

If you missed out in the first ballot I thought you were guaranteed in the second one!! What's all the fuss...

Thus that didn't get tickets should have listened to the advice and planned ahead. You could have applied for tickets at box hill about four weeks ago when they were released.

The corporates are funding a good chunk of the money for these games so are entitled to do as they please with there allocated tickets.....

Tickets are two expensive boo who... Life's not fair just got to play it smarter to get by!!!!

 

[Gee Bee]

Doesn't make it right, we should have done better.

The empty seats are empty not because they haven't been sold or allocated, Sport is now controlled by sponsorship and corprates, we coud do without them, but then what effect would that have on sport generally?
You could re-sell them, but what do you do if someone with the ticket then does turn up? Its not as easy as you may think.

 

[Deathstroke]

If you missed out in the first ballot I thought you were guaranteed in the second one!! What's all the fuss...

I know of someone who put in for £1500 worth of tickets, and only managed to get 2 £50 tickets to south Korea vs Gabon (you had to apply for tickets before the draw, so there was no indication of who would be playing. As a result that person was excluded from the next four ballots and did not get another chance to obtain the other £1400 worth of tickets. So, to answer your earlier point, it wasn't just a case of buying the tickets you wanted.

Thus that didn't get tickets should have listened to the advice and planned ahead. You could have applied for tickets at box hill about four weeks ago when they were released.

Which is fine, provided you wanted to watch cycling at box hill and the amount of people that did, didn't exceed capacity.

The corporates are funding a good chunk of the money for these games so are entitled to do as they please with there allocated tickets.....

Tickets are two expensive boo who... Life's not fair just got to play it smarter to get by!!!!

The Taxpayer has funded a good chunk of it as well. They should have a fair crack at getting tickets, many didn't. Affordable tickets were one of the pledges of the games bid. Filling arenas was another. They can't just ramp up prices willy-nilly. £725 for the 100m final session is ridiculous, unless it includes a three course meal, free bar and a BJ.

 

[wanderer paul]

If you missed out in the first ballot I thought you were guaranteed in the second one!! What's all the fuss...

Thus that didn't get tickets should have listened to the advice and planned ahead. You could have applied for tickets at box hill about four weeks ago when they were released.

The corporates are funding a good chunk of the money for these games so are entitled to do as they please with there allocated tickets.....

Tickets are two expensive boo who... Life's not fair just got to play it smarter to get by!!!!

You couldn't apply if you were successful in the first ballot. Even if you only just got a pair of tickets.

There are Athletic tickets for the last day which have just come up on the 2012 website, but at £725 a ticket, I don't think so. They are 'too' expensive for a pauper like myself. £1450 a pair! rofl

More affordable tickets should've been allocated for us mere mortals.

I keep logging on to see what is available. As I said, I missed basketball tickets because I had to check trains etc............. You have to collect tickets now which means you either go to the park the day before or miss an hour of your event queueing up at the collections booth! Logistical nightmare!

 

[Brickie Chap]

Are people really attempting to engage in a sensible discussion with Hull?

 

[nocoat]

I applied for 1500 pounds of tickets and only got hockey mens this morning. this meant that I couldn't go into the ballot. Also hockey was undersubscribed anyway! how does someone who isn't a millionaire like me ever going to get what they wanted if they needed hundreds in their account on the off chance they get selected. I think it was a very poor way of doing things. Anyway, I am happy enough, seen an event an the Olympic Park and saw the road race and a mate has given me open water swimming so that is enough for me

 

[Hullbee]

At the end of the day most people don't really give a stuff about the sports on offer and only want to attend to be part of the atmosphere of the games... Therefore if you applied for 2000 worth and only got one ticket does it really matter. Would people seriously be interested in my wrestling(medal) weightlifting (medal) judo (medal) hockey (medal) tickets personally will probably never venture out to watch these sports live ever again.. So if you missed out enjoy the event on a free big screen just as good for the action and excitement

 

[To Bee Someone]

At the end of the day most people don't really give a stuff about the sports on offer and only want to attend to be part of the atmosphere of the games... Therefore if you applied for 2000 worth and only got one ticket does it really matter. Would people seriously be interested in my wrestling(medal) weightlifting (medal) judo (medal) hockey (medal) tickets personally will probably never venture out to watch these sports live ever again.. So if you missed out enjoy the event on a free big screen just as good for the action and excitement

Ill have your tickets then if you do not want them....

 

[JBN]

Not sure if I heard him correctly, but a foreign journo was saying he has an all access pass to any event, so he could be at the tennis in Wimbledon, the sailing at Weymouth, the Gymnastics and O2 (or whatever it is being called this week) and the swimming in the Pringle all at the same time, which could explain why some seats are not occupied.

 

[bees66]

Not sure if I heard him correctly, but a foreign journo was saying he has an all access pass to any event, so he could be at the tennis in Wimbledon, the sailing at Weymouth, the Gymnastics and O2 (or whatever it is being called this week) and the swimming in the Pringle all at the same time, which could explain why some seats are not occupied.

was that some Aussie bloke on H&J?? lucky ****er

 

[JBN]

was that some Aussie bloke on H&J?? lucky ****er

Not sure if it was the Aussie or the German.

The Aussie was saying that media back home is getting concerned about Australia's lack of medals.

 

[wanderer paul]

Wembley Arena near enough full. Only VIP/Officials seats which are lacking "bums on seats". Good viewing so far..

 

[bees66]

Not sure if it was the Aussie or the German.

The Aussie was saying that media back home is getting concerned about Australia's lack of medals.

was watching the handball late last night, Earls Court was a 3/4 empty.. let everyone in free after 10pm ffs

 

[Banana]

Keep the empty seats I say. I'm making good use of them. Keep the hoi polloi away!

 

[Mr Tree]

Not sure if I heard him correctly, but a foreign journo was saying he has an all access pass to any event, so he could be at the tennis in Wimbledon, the sailing at Weymouth, the Gymnastics and O2 (or whatever it is being called this week) and the swimming in the Pringle all at the same time, which could explain why some seats are not occupied.

my favourite american sports journalist is at the Olympics, says he has an all-access pass too, so i guess you're right...

 

[Boscombe Bee]

Not sure if I heard him correctly, but a foreign journo was saying he has an all access pass to any event, so he could be at the tennis in Wimbledon, the sailing at Weymouth, the Gymnastics and O2 (or whatever it is being called this week) and the swimming in the Pringle all at the same time, which could explain why some seats are not occupied.

My brother is a photographer and he has an access all areas pass too, although he doesnt get time to sit and enjoy it all. Will ask him whether he gets a seat in the stand with it, anyhow a seat wouldnt be much point for a photographer. Dont know wheres hes been last couple of days but knew he was covering the Gymnastics last weekend and Badminton Monday (which he was hacked off about)

 

[Stanley]

Well at least we did better than the Greeks in 2004...

 

[wanderer paul]

I'm happy to say the morning sessions seem to be packed and full, which shows what great spectators we are for sports and the Olympics, Beijing and Athens didn't have packed arenas for morning qualifying rounds as we have had. Early problems seem to have been ironed out with sales for spare tickets being snapped up as soon as they go in sale. This has to be the highest attended Olympics for all arenas to date.

 

[SmiffyBee]

Hockey last night was 95% full in the Riverbank Arena
I think the whole set up is pretty impressive and it's the best Olympics I have ever been to.

 

[wibs]

Hockey last night was 95% full in the Riverbank Arena
I think the whole set up is pretty impressive and it's the best Olympics I have ever been to.

and that's saying something, cos you absolutely loved you're time in Seoul in 1988.

 

[B2B]

Not many empties around me today when Mo was running the 5 k......

 

[Banana]

Stadium was packed tonight. Couldn't even get in the Empty Seats!

 

[bees66]

the best Olympics I have ever been to.

how many you been to Smiffy?

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

The point being, and I am sure the one you are deliberately misunderstanding for effect, is that if you applied for one event then the chances are very low of getting the ticket. If you apply for 10 then you run the risk of paying out money you may not be able to afford if you end up with several. Quite a gamble for someone on low income.

I have friends who were residents in Athens during the Olympics and they used to go to the local stall on the corner of any road in the morning. They attendant would do a quick search on their system for the tickets available on that day and they would pay for the tickets and hey presto go and see an event.

The lottery thing we did was daft. In this day and age we should have been able to manage it much better.

just seen this.
not deliberately misunderstanding but some people are implying that you had to pay for tickets you never got. obviously if you got all the tickets you applied for you have to pay for them.
the tickets were £20 for the cheap seats at everything except athletics. so 2 (people) x £20 x 20 (maximum number of sessions you could apply for) = £800 so you only needed £800 overdraft to cover the offchance you got all 40 tickets you applied for anyway so was hardly a "millionaires only" thing like some are implying.
i have not heard of a better system and if you think your athens "Pay on the Day" alleged idea would work then i politely disagree.
putting them on general sale would have sold out in the first morning and i doubt you would have been happy then either.
Coe IN.

 

[Porgey]

I missed all my choices apart from handball in the first ballot but still managed to get Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Archery and Shooting via CoSport.

Anybody moaning about not being able to get tickets were basically lazy and/or disorganised, there were multiple chances to get hands on a ticket including at the lower price ranges.