Ticketing principles: simplicity, fairness, respect
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
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"Simplicity, fairness and respect for all supporters" underline the ticketing policy for next summer's finals, according to EURO 2016 SAS president Jacques Lambert.
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"Three key ideas defined our approach: simplicity, fairness and respect for all supporters," said EURO 2016 SAS president Jacques Lambert as he explained the ticketing policy for next summer's finals.
Mr Lambert and UEFA EURO 2016 head of ticketing and hospitality Philippe Margraff revealed how seats will be allocated for the finals at a press conference at the headquarters of the France Football Federation (FFF). They explained the principles which will ensure that a diverse crowd can get to watch games at the 24-team final tournament in France.
"Simplicity, as the audience can be divided in two different categories – those who just want to experience the EURO atmosphere and supporters who want to follow their team," explained Mr Lambert. "Both categories will have their own buying phase; between 10 June and 10 July 2015 for the general public, and after the final draw on 12 December 2015 for supporters of individual teams.
"Fairness, as everyone will have the same chance of getting a ticket through our portal," added Mr Lambert, explaining that "when demand exceeds supply, a lottery will decide who gets tickets".
"Respect for all supporters as we have allocated 75% of all the tickets available (1.8m) for ordinary football fans, with €25 tickets on offer for 43 of the 51 matches," he added. "Our match schedule ensures something rich and diverse in each host city."
Those principles would be true for all fans, regardless of their location, in the initial application phase from 10 June to 10 July this year. "All supporters around the world are in competition for tickets, as there is no bias in favour of French supporters," explained Mr Lambert. "All of them are equal."
A crowd of over 100 gathered for the conference, with FFF president Noël Le Graët welcoming media representatives, and reminding them that the French association and UEFA were working together to organise the final tournament.
Other dignitaries included Fabien Barthez, a finals ambassador for Toulouse, and former OGC Nice and Paris Saint-Germain defender José Cobos, who now works for the local council in Nice.
