Tokyo 2020: Record-breaking demand for Paralympic tickets

A record number of 390,000 sports enthusiasts participated in the first Paralympic ticket lottery that was held for residents of Japan during the period from 22 August to 10 September 2019.

This is more than three times the number of people who took part in the initial offering of tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Such a level of interest has never been seen before in the history of the Paralympic Movement. The ticket demand was well spread across the 22 sports which will be part of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President overwhelmed by the response said, “The demand for tickets experienced during the first Tokyo 2020 Paralympic ticket lottery is unprecedented and like nothing we have seen before in Paralympic Games history.

“London 2012 set the benchmark high with 116,000 applicants in their first ticketing window back in 2011, but the Japanese public have completely blown this figure out of the water with around 390,000 applicants.

“This is further proof that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on course to be the best and most exciting yet. The key now is to sustain this demand until all tickets for the Games are sold.”

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto commented, “More than 390,000 Japan residents applied for tickets in the first lottery of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – this was a great start. I’m glad that people in Japan have such high expectations for the Paralympic Games and are showing such interest in them.

“We look forward to everyone cheering on the athletes from all over the world and helping to bring out many personal best performances at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

Residents of Japan clearly seized the opportunity to be part of the biggest and the most exciting Paralympic Games ever in their capital city.

With the first Paralympic Ticket lottery now fully closed, Tokyo 2020 announced today that around 160,000 people have been allocated tickets in the first phase of the ticket lottery, and about 600,000 tickets have already been purchased.

Residents of Japan will be able to participate in a second lottery which will commence next year. A further phase of ticket sales will start in the spring of 2020, offering first-come, first-served sales on a global basis.

Details will be announced later. Tickets may only be purchased via authorised channels and Tokyo 2020 urges all prospective ticket purchasers to be aware of unauthorised or potentially fraudulent ticket offerings.

Applications from residents of Japan can only be made on the Tokyo 2020 Official Ticket Website. Pre-registration via the TOKYO 2020 ID portal is necessary to enter the lottery; this can be done at https://id.tokyo2020.org/.

Tickets for all sports are being offered at affordable prices which aim to encourage people to attend with her family and friends.

Seats at competitive events will be priced from just JPY 900 and will cost no more than JPY 7,000. This is part of the Organising Committee’s commitment to enhance the family atmosphere at the Paralympic Games and attract as many young spectators as possible. Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will cost from JPY 8,000 up to JPY 150,000.