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Vinay Nayudu
Doha
With 45 weeks (320 days to go) before the start of the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Qatar the first athletics worlds to be held in the Middle East the Local Organising Committee (LOC) launched ticket sales programme for the event with an eye on considering every option to engage fans.
The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) President Sebastian Coe and Dahlan al Hamad, Vice Chairman & Director General of the Local Organising Committee and Vice President of the IAAF, provided details at a news conference on Sunday while going online for the first time from Doha.
The 17th edition of the IAAF Worlds (September 27 - October 6, 2019) is set to take the sport towards a new future by inspiring new fans, new athletes and new audiences of all ages and interests with a host of innovations, including a revamped competition schedule to create more intense action in single evening sessions and a new range of ticketing options.
"Today is another positive step forward for athletics and further proof of Qatar's commitment to welcome the world to Doha. As the pricing and flexible ticket offerings show, our approach is simple. We want to make it as easy and enjoyable for as many people as possible to be our guests. We want people from all corners of the world to come and experience the warmth of our hospitality, our world-class facilities and our pleasant September climate.
"We want fans to witness the best athletes on the planet compete head to head over 10 dramatic days of competition but and, at the same time, get to know the people and the real Qatar. A young, ambitious, safe and progressive nation," said LOC Director General Dahlan.
In the coming months, the LOC will move forward in the next phase of its preparations and outreach programme by finalising full travel packages to Doha, including flights, hotels and transfers. The official championship travel packages are expected to be launched during January 2019.
With direct flights from over 110 destinations, a simple visa process plus a stadium that is located centrally expectations are high for inbound travelling fans and families.
IAAF chief Coe said,"Going live with tickets is a big moment in any major championship and the Doha Organising Committee has worked hard to create an event that suits its climate, is fun and exciting for fans with some innovations and flair and provides optimal conditions for the athletes to excel.
Qatar is to unveil a new and the first-ever midnight marathon along the beautiful Corniche and a first 4x400m mixed relay at an IAAF Worlds, each designed to maximise fan entertainment and global reach. The programme will replace morning sessions with split evening sessions. One-hour intervals will be incorporated into each session to combine entertainment and family-centred activities with the excitement of the competitive action.
"Athletics is looking ahead. We have a new country and new innovations ready to embrace new fans and new opportunities with new formats and ticket options as part of a global event. Whether it is Doha, Tokyo, Nanjing or Eugene, we are looking at our sport with a fresh perspective and fresh eyes. For Doha 2019, we have a trusted partner that is as willing to be creative and bold. And the nation's track record in our sport is further commitment that they share our vision to grow the sport. The IAAF has hosted events in Qatar for the last 21 years, so we know the people and the country, and we hope the world of athletics gets to know them too," stressed Coe.
Since revealing to the world the state-of-the-art Khalifa International Stadium and showcasing the revolutionary in-stadium air-conditioning technology during the 1 year to go celebrations in September, the LOC have received registrations of interest from literally all corners of the world. Fans as far and wide as Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cameroon, Chile, South Africa to Sri Lanka and as close to Doha as Azerbaijan, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia, have all sought ticket information and registered for tickets.
"As highlighted in our 1 year to go celebrations, our stadium is complete and the infrastructure ready. Now, with 45 weeks to go everything is in place to guarantee the best possible experience for the 3,500 athletes and officials from more than 200 nations. But equally important is the fan experience and the memories we create for those attending. A world-class stadium needs a vibrant atmosphere. Athletes need to feed off that energy. Beyond the physical infrastructure, the welcome from the host nation and the excitement in the stadium, that is what people remember most. This will be our focus and we will work with our partners and the IAAF to inspire and welcome as many fans as possible," Dahlan said.
Avid athletics fans can select from an array of options which allow them to follow their champion, sit in traditional Arab cushioned Majlis seating or choose finish line seats. Whilst for those new to athletics, affordable taster options have been made available to purchase.
Family and group discounts are also on offer for those looking to attend with their families or groups of friends or colleagues from work.
Looking further ahead into 2019, Doha is also preparing to host the IAAF council meeting in March, the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships in April 2019, the official test event for the IAAF World Athletics and the IAAF Diamond League in May.
Ticketing Info
Category A
Open seating: QR60 (€14)
Follow Your Champion A- Allocated seating: QR150 (€35) Euro)
Follow Your Champions B
Allocated seating: QR120 (€28)
Finish Line- Allocated seating: QR300 (€71)
Packages
Family Package: 2 Adults + 2 children with 25% from 2-12 years old
Group Package 1: Minimum 10 -Maximum 49 tickets (-15%) - contact [email protected]
Group Package 2: 50 tickets onwards (-18%) - contact [email protected]
Special Needs: Wheelchair access (-50%) + 1 accompanying (-20%)
Corporate Packages: A purchase of 50 tickets must take place for a discount of 18% per ticket contact [email protected] Discounts also available on purchase of bulk tickets.
Midnight marathon
No ticket needed to watch the midnight marathons along the Corniche.
