Toronto all set for successful Parapan American Games

Following a highly successful Pan American Games, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organising Committee (TO2015) is gearing up for not only the largest ever Parapan Am Games, but also the first time they will be broadcasted in Canada.

This summer’s Parapan Am Games will host more than 1,600 athletes who will compete in 15 sports at 11 different competition venues, which have been designed to operate and deliver accessible options for both athletes and spectators. The Parapan Am Games will officially open when the cauldron is lit at the new CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium on 7 August.

Fans from across Ontario who attended the Pan Am Games experienced the region’s incredible atmosphere. For those who missed out, the Parapan Am Games will be a great opportunity to experience these once-in-a-lifetime Games.

“The Games started and ended strong, with more than one million tickets sold for the Pan Am Games and more than 120 sold out events,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015.

“We’re expecting similar momentum for the Parapan Am Games, with ticket sales fast approaching 50,000 of the approximately 200,000 tickets available. With all Parapan Am sports being qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, excitement is building and fans are eager to see future Paralympians compete on Canadian soil.”

To show their support for the Parapan Am Games, Zack Chetrat, Pan Am bronze medallist and co-captain of the Canadian swim team at the 2015 Pan Am Games, Brittany MacLean, Pan Am bronze medallist, 2012 Olympic finalist and Canadian record holder, Chelsey Gotell, three-time Paralympic swimmer and five-time Paralympic gold medallist, and Julia Wilkinson, two-time Olympic swimmer, bought Parapan Am tickets at Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday (28 July).

The athletes bought tickets for their favourite events, including the highly anticipated athletics, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and swimming competitions.

With top para-athletes from across the Americas showcasing their incredible abilities this summer, TO2015 is committed to raising awareness of Parapan Am sports and athletes, and to providing a fully integrated Games experience with inclusive, accessible features that are offered across the entire Games footprint.

For the first time in Pan Am/Parapan Am Games history, accessibility guides have been created as a go-to resource for all Games-related accessibility information. To view the guides, visit the Toronto 2015 website.

The Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games will come to a close on 15 August at Nathan Phillips Square during a free Parapan Am Closing Ceremony, which will feature top entertainment organised by Live Nation Entertainment, the Official Live Music Partner of the Games.

Buying tickets to the Games

Tickets are available at the Toronto 2015 ticket website. The Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games ticket programme is designed to be affordable and accessible for everyone by offering:

Integrated tickets: Every event ticket will allow the holder to access transit on the day of the event.

Affordable pricing: Tickets start at just CAD20, with 75 per cent of tickets priced CAD45 and under.

Half-price tickets for persons under 16 years of age, or 65 and over: Tickets will be offered at a 50 per cent discount — some will start at CAD 10. The number of discounted tickets is limited, so buy early.

Tickets for Parapan Am sporting events will range from CAD 20 to CAD 35 for adults, with a youth (under 16) and senior (65+) discount from CAD 10 to CAD 12.50 available, depending on the event. The number of discounted tickets is limited, so don't delay.

Easy options for buying: Tickets can be purchased online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets or at 1.855.726.2015 and internationally at 1.949.333.4824