Why over half a million tickets remain unsold for the Paris Olympics (2024)

Over half a million tickets are still unsold for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite the action starting in just two days in the French capital.

There are many fans who want to know exactly why that’s the case and how you can buy last-minute tickets for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, which is taking place just a Eurostar train or quick flight away from London.

The Olympic football and rugby sevens tournaments begin on Wednesday while the handball and archery starts on Thursday ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.

But why are there still over 500,000 unsold tickets for the Paris Games? Read on to find out – and here’s everything else to know about landing a last-minute deal…

Why are there so many unsold tickets for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?

A number of packages have only just become available to buy

Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris 2024 organising committee, argues that a number of ticket packages have just come available with seating plans only recently finalised – explaining why ticket sales have been so low thus far.

‘We will remain prudent, and between now and six months ago, we released new ticket opportunities,’ Estanguet said.

‘That’s why there are still tickets available one week before, because now we have the final plan of the delivery. We are now at 8.8 million tickets sold and we still have 500,000 to 600,000 tickets available.’

There is also believed to be fears over a lack of general interest and fans are thought to be concerned over high prices, especially after Euro 2024 this summer.

Security levels ‘incomprehensible’ and transport problems

Fans have complained at the ‘incomprehensible’ levels of security perimeters, with all areas within 100m of the Seine now completely off-limits, according to reports.

French police have deployed security cameras on a massive scale and an experimental AI-based video-surveillance system, which has caused controversy.

High levels of traffic are also putting off some fans – with lots of roads closed off – while most of the motorways connecting the French capital city to the surrounding suburbs have special ‘Paris 2024’ lanes, reserved for Olympic officials.

It appears that lots of Paris metro stations will be closed too – in a blow to those looking to ride public transport – with some describing the decision as ‘illogical’.

Concorde, a metro station in Paris, has been closed since June 17, although it should be noted there has been plenty of information available about the closings. Especially at Concorde, where there are billboards within the station, while a website has also been created and advertised to help Olympic fans adapt.

On Friday, the day of the Olympic opening ceremony, all planes are barred from taking off, landing or flying near Paris.

Issues for Olympic fans with reduced mobility

Barriers have begun sprouting all over the place in Paris, making it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate the streets, which is again putting people off.

‘What an awful feeling to find yourself caged in your own neighbourhood,’ one local resident, @EricKLein_, posted on X.

‘While these Olympics were supposed to be popular, Parisians, considered a negligible number, were excluded. I hardly dare imagine hell for people with reduced mobility.’

Fears over protests from unhappy Parisians

Paris’ decision to host the Olympics was controversial with a lot of French people – given the country is already heavily in debt and the capital’s finances are alarming.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo originally didn’t want the city to bid to host the games when she ran for election in 2014 – and her U-turn angered some Parisians.

There are some Parisians who feel like they’ve been booted out the city for the Games and are being encouraged to leave for the summer, which again has led to frustration.

That means some people may be put off buying tickets for the Paris Games, due to fears over potential protests from local residents.

How to buy tickets for the Olympics

Ticketsare onsalefrom the official website. They are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The tickets for some of the sessions and sports start at 24 euros – but medal sessions are more – upwards of 100 euros up to 990 euros for an athletics medal session.

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