Nearly half the tickets for Milan Cortina Olympics still unsold with 2 months to go

The Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are fast approaching, with just two months to go until the opening ceremony. However, there are still some key areas that need to be completed before the games kick off.

Construction on the main hockey arena is still ongoing, while spectator and media areas at the sliding venue also need to be finished. Despite these challenges, local organizers are now focusing on another important issue – ticket sales.

As of now, only slightly more than half of the 1.5 million tickets for the games have been sold. While sales abroad are meeting expectations, interest among Italians remains low. In an effort to boost ticket sales, a Black Friday promotion was recently held, offering a 20% discount on tickets. Additionally, purchasers of both Olympics and Paralympics tickets have the opportunity to get discounted lift passes for ski areas in Lombardy.

Organizers have also released more tickets for the opening ceremony and the men’s hockey gold medal game, which have been selling quickly. Despite the slow start, there is optimism that local interest will pick up as the torch relay gains momentum.

The atmosphere at the 2006 Turin Winter Games was unforgettable, and organizers are hoping for a similar experience this time around. With the recent success of ticket sales at the Milan Cortina store in front of the city’s cathedral, there is confidence that local fans will eventually come on board.

In terms of venue readiness, the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is set to undergo a test event in January after some delays. Another hockey venue at the Rho Fiera convention center will also be tested with under-20 world championship games.

Athlete parades for the opening ceremony will be held simultaneously in multiple locations across northern Italy, including Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo. This unique approach has been well-received by the National Olympic Committees and local communities.

Overall, while there are still some challenges to overcome, organizers remain confident that the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will be a success. With the games just around the corner, excitement is building, and preparations are in full swing.