Opening ceremony tickets oversold by 72 percent in the first two phases requiring DAGOC to launch final phase

With 72 percent of tickets for the opening ceremony already sold in record time, the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) has advised fans to avail of the final opportunity to be present for the grand December 1 event, officially signalling start of the 15th Asian Games.

Ceremony tickets in the two earlier phases launched in May and September were oversold, making DAGOC launch the third and final phase earlier than planned.

Tickets for the opening ceremony have been selling at an impressive pace and DAGOC points toward the reasonable pricing and patriotic zeal, among major factors in the impressive percentage of sales.

The strong surge of interest for opening ceremony tickets is due to expectations of a mega spectacular event which has been conceptualised as benchmark performances by hundreds of global artistes and performers.

"We are very pleased that 72 percent tickets for the opening ceremony have already been sold with one month to go the Games," said Ahmed Al Khulaifi, Deputy Director Corporate Services, DAGOC. "I advise all fans to reserve their place as this is the final phase of ticket sales."

"The strong sales across Qatar, the Middle East and Asia underline the growing anticipation that the ceremonies will raise the bar to a new level across the world," said Al Khulaifi. "Of course patriotic zeal and the pure thrill of being at such a ceremony also play a large part."

Special seating arrangements are made for families. The 8-ticket limit policy per purchase for Opening and Closing Ceremonies that DAGOC had set will hold.

The ticketing website (www.doha-2006.com), alongside the 12 ticket outlets in Doha provides fans easy view of seating configuration at the Khalifa Stadium while allowing them to select and book their seats. Strong sales have also been indicated for the closing ceremony.

Sales of tickets is on a real time basis, meaning tickets on thermal paper will be sold, printed and handed out to the customers directly at the outlets. For tickets bought through the website, customers will be requested to pick them up at any of the Ticket Sales Outlets all over Doha, even 5 minutes after their order.