GC2018 Unveils Largest Competition Events Schedule in Games' History

The largest competition events schedule in Commonwealth Games history has today been unveiled, with the Official Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Ticketing Guide allowing spectators to start planning their experience ahead of ticket requests opening on 24 April.

Boasting the largest medal event program and the most number of sessions in Commonwealth Games history, the GC2018 Competition Events Schedule details all 23 sporting disciplines across the integrated sport and Para-Sport program, as well as all competition dates and times.

GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:

"As we celebrate our One Year to Go milestone, it is exciting to announce the largest competition events schedule in Commonwealth Games history.

"GC2018 will see Beach Volleyball and Women’s Rugby Sevens making their Commonwealth Games debuts, helping us become the first major multi-sport event in the world with an equal number of medals between men and women.

"GC2018 will mark the first time para Triathlon has featured on the program and para sport athletes will be able to compete in the Marathon for the first time also.

"The release of the competition event schedule allows spectators to start planning their GC2018 journey before ticket requests open at midday on 24 April."

CGF President Louise Martin CBE said:

"With just one year to go to the next Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, now is the time for athletes and communities across the Commonwealth to get behind one of the world’s finest and friendliest sporting competitions. Releasing the all-important ticketing details and the Games’ largest-ever event s schedule makes the event so much more real for teams, fans and supporters.

Adding to the excitement and significance are new sports and world-first commitments to gender equality of medal opportunities – so we hope as many people as possible will start planning that trip to the Gold Coast to cheer on their athletes and teams this time next year".

The release of the competition events schedule coincides with today’s One Year to Go celebrations across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as the countdown continues ahead of 4-15 April 2018 event.

The key considerations which have been factored into the design of the GC2018 Competition Events Schedule are:

* Maximising exposure for all 23 sporting disciplines; through both ticket sales and television audiences.

* Maximising the spectator experience, including assisting Transport operations by staggering event start and finish times;

* Scheduling a variety of events within sessions to maximise the spectator experience;

* Maximising athlete performance by considering factors such as recovery periods;

* Maximising broadcast content for national and international viewers across multiple time zones;

Among the highlights of the GC2018 Competition Events Schedule are:

* 13 sports will be showcased on Day 1 (Thursday, April 5);

* The first gold medal to be awarded will be the Women’s Triathlon on Day 1 (Thursday, April 5);

* The highly anticipated 100m final (Men’s and Women’s) will be held on Day 5 (Monday, April 9);

* Day 10 (Saturday, April 14) will act as "Super Saturday", with the most number of medals to be awarded (44 gold medals in total);

* The Rugby Sevens finals for men and women will be the final gold medal events on Day 11 prior to the closing ceremony.

The Official GC2018 Ticketing Guide, available online at www.gc2018.com/tickets, also explains the process for how to complete a ticket request.

In order to make it fair for everyone, GC2018 tickets will initially be available via a Ticket Request phase.

Ticket requests will be accumulated over a four-week period from midday on 24 April until midnight on 22 May 2017 (AEST), and no orders will be confirmed or payments taken until after the Ticket Request phase closes.

Any sessions that have more ticket requests than there is availability will have tickets awarded via a fair and equal draw. The fair and equal draw is made by computer and processed randomly, in addition to being independently audited by KPMG.

Spectators can place a ticket request at any time during this phase and no preference will be given to the time of day or date a ticket request is placed.

Whilst placing a ticket request does not guarantee success, it provides spectators with the best chance to secure tickets for the most in-demand sports sessions. Visit www.gc2018.com/tickets for more information.

Spectators can look forward to inclusive, accessible and affordable ticket prices for GC2018, with adult tickets starting from as low as $20 and half price children’s tickets available from $10.

The ticket price includes all fees and free public transport on event days within the South East Queensland TransLink transport network, as well as the Cairns TransLink and Townsville qconnect bus networks.

Tickets for people with accessibility requirements will be available for all events and as GC2018 is affiliated to the Queensland Companion Card program, accessible seating will be provided with a complimentary companion ticket.

Infants under the age of two are granted free entry, provided they do not occupy a seat.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP:

"Today is an exciting day for not only the Gold Coast, but all four event cities which will play host to GC2018 competition events in April next year.

"Basketball will be held over three locations in Queensland - Cairns, Townsville and Gold Coast, while Brisbane will host two sports, Shooting and Track Cycling.

"We are really proud of the fact that ticket prices are inclusive, accessible and affordable.

"Importantly, the ticket price includes all ticket fees and free public transport on event day within the South East Queensland TransLink public transport network, the Cairns TransLink bus network and on the Townsville qconnect bus network."

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones MP:

"The countdown is well and truly on ahead of GC2018 and the excitement is certainly building.

"More than half of all tickets are priced at $40 or below and this will enable everyone to share the dream of this once in a lifetime event.

"It’s great that people can now start planning for the events they want to request tickets to between 24 April and 22 May."

GOLDOC Manager Sport Services, Venues, Operations and Sport Brenton Rickard:

"We are proud to present the GC2018 Competition Events Schedule after many months of planning and coordination with all relevant stakeholders.

"We have factored in many different considerations into the design of the competition event schedule and believe the outcome is one that everyone from athletes to broadcasters and international sporting federations will be happy with.

"The action starts with a sporting feast on Day 1 with 13 sports on display including the first ever Beach Volleyball competition to take place at a Commonwealth Games.

"Day 10 really will be ‘Super Saturday’ with some of the world’s best athletes competing for 44 gold medals across a wide variety of sports including athletics, boxing, cycling, diving, hockey and wrestling."

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate:

"This is a landmark day for the Gold Coast as we countdown to the opening of ticket requests on 24 April.

"It is fantastic to think that in 12 months’ time this City, and the other three event cities, are going to be buzzing with activity and I urge people to start thinking about which events they want to request tickets to.

"Placing a ticket request provides spectators with the best chance to secure tickets for the most in-demand sports sessions."

GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters:

"With 18 sports and a record seven para-sports, GC2018 comprises the largest competition event schedule in Commonwealth Games history which will be broadcast to a cumulative global audience of 1.5 billion.

"GC2018 will feature the largest ever Para-Sport program for a Commonwealth Games with 38 medal events across seven disciplines involving 300 Para-Sport athletes.

"Athletics will be the largest sport at GC2018 with a total of 58 medal events and estimated participation of around 1,000 athletes from over 60 nations and territories.

"And the best thing of all, is that ticket prices are affordable for people of all ages, with adult tickets starting from as low as $20 and half price children’s tickets from $10."

To explore the detailed GC2018 Competition Events Schedule or download the complete GC2018 Ticketing Guide, go to: gc2018.com/tickets

Highlights of the GC2018 Ticket Pricing Program include:

* 80 per cent of all tickets will be priced $80 or below

* Over half of all tickets will be priced $40 or below

* Opening Ceremony tickets will be available from $100 for adults and $50 for children

* Closing Ceremony tickets from $70 for adults and $35 for children

* Athletics tickets will be available from $20 for adults and $10 for children

* Rugby Sevens tickets will be available from $30 for adults and $15 for children

* Beach Volleyball tickets from $30 for adults and $15 for children

* Swimming tickets from $40 for adults and $20 for children

* Track Cycling tickets from $50 for adults and $25 for children

* Children’s tickets will be available for people aged 16 and under

* Infants under 2 years are granted free entry to all events providing they do not occupy a seat.

The Gold Coast will welcome 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations and territories across the Commonwealth - representing more than one third of the world’s population.

For more information, please contact:

Martin Reynolds

CGF

Tel: +44 7789 772619

Email: m.reynolds@thecgf.com (mailto:m.reynolds@thecgf.com)

Adam Gardini

Communications and Media Lead

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Tel: +61 402 487 575

Email: adam.gardini@goldoc.com (mailto:adam.gardini@goldoc.com)

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics iswww.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only