Asian Games Organisers Concerned Over Low Ticket Sales, Empty Seats in Nagoya

Organisers of the Asian Games have acknowledged concerns over disappointing ticket sales after large sections of empty seats were observed at the main stadium and several other venues in Japan.

The 100-metre races are traditionally among the biggest attractions at the Games, yet the 30,000-seat Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium appeared to be only around a quarter full during Friday night’s blue-ribbon events.

The prospect of home favourite Misaki Morota competing for gold in the women’s pole vault also failed to draw a sizeable crowd as the weekend began.

According to the Aichi-Nagoya Games organising committee, ticket sales remain below 60 percent for eight sports, including football. A similar proportion of tickets for the closing ceremony, scheduled for eight days later, had also yet to be sold.

“We are not satisfied,” Satoshi Murate, secretary-general of the organising committee, told AFP when asked about the attendance figures.

He said organisers would continue efforts to increase ticket sales and encourage ticket holders to attend events.

“We will keep aiming for full stadiums, keep selling tickets and work to make sure people who have secured seats actually come,” Murate said.

More than 90 percent of tickets for the opening ceremony had reportedly been sold, but significant numbers of spectators failed to turn up, leaving empty sections during the athletes’ parade and the lighting of the Games torch.

Murate said overall ticket sales remained relatively strong but acknowledged that attendance at some competitions had become a concern.

“There are several reasons,” he explained. “First, some sessions include several matches in one day. Everyone focuses on the headline match.”

He added that some tickets distributed to stakeholders, including sponsors, were also going unused.

“Seats have been allocated but some people can’t come,” Murate said. “As a result, some competitions do have noticeable empty seats, and we find that regrettable.”

Organisers apologise over accommodation, transport problems

Murate also apologised for difficulties involving accommodation and transportation, following criticism from several participating teams.

Thailand described the arrangements as resembling a chaotic game of “musical chairs”, while South Korea criticised the organisers’ performance.

Accommodation has emerged as one of the biggest challenges, with around 17,000 participants affected. The situation has been further complicated by airport delays and lengthy waits for athletes boarding a cruise ship being used as a floating hotel.

Unlike many previous editions of the Games, organisers did not construct a traditional athletes’ village as part of cost-cutting measures.

Instead, participating teams have been accommodated in temporary container-style facilities, hotels and the Costa Serena cruise ship.

Transport has also caused frustration, with reports of buses taking athletes to training sessions and competition venues arriving late or failing to show up.

“There have been mistakes in accommodation and transport, for various reasons,” Murate admitted.

“Whatever the cause, AINAGOC (the organising committee) is responsible for providing the service and I sincerely apologise for the mistakes.”

He added that staff were working daily to determine the causes of the problems and prevent similar incidents from occurring again.