People in 75 countries around the world will today receive news that their ticket application for The 2014 Ryder Cup was successful as the ballot for the event closes. Tickets will be posted to the lucky ballot winners next year.
Ryder Cup Europe has confirmed that final stage applications for tickets were up 38 per cent compared to the 2010 event at Celtic Manor in Wales, and more countries are represented in the final allocation than ever before.
The highly sought-after tickets contain several security measures, including the photograph of the buyer and a unique barcode, in an effort to prevent transfer and fraud. Organisers will warn successful applicants not to attempt to re-sell their ticket, and will be informing those who were unsuccessful in the ballot to avoid ticket reselling websites as the security measures all but eliminate the possibility of ticket transfers.
Around one in three (37%) spectators will be based in Scotland, where the event is being held. The top ten countries with ticket allocations to The 2014 Ryder Cup are:
- UK & Ireland
- USA
- Germany
- Canada
- The Netherlands
- Italy
- Australia
- Sweden
- France
- Denmark
Europe’s Ryder Cup Director, RichardHills, said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events and attracts a global audience. In Europe the host nation stands to gain substantially from holding a Ryder Cup, as we will see in Scotland, when people from 75 different countries will travel to Gleneagles especially for the event.
“As well as introducing a new system to the balloting process – which has enabled us to guarantee as high a number of unique visits to the event as possible – we have also conducted an extensive PR and awareness campaign in relation to the process, not only in the host nation, but also across Europe and the rest of the world.
“This is an important consideration for ensuring a high economic impact for the hosts, but it is also a balancing act as, naturally, we want to ensure that those local to the event also get a chance to enjoy it.
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: “The record demand for tickets and the appetite to travel to Scotland for The 2014 Ryder Cup illustrates exactly why we have worked so hard to bring the event to the Home of Golf. The Ryder Cup is a truly international event which will showcase Scotland in all its glory, as well as bringing many lasting benefits to our country but it is also heartening to see such strong interest from the people of Scotland. Scots have embraced the Ryder Cup being played on their own doorstep and I am delighted there will be such a strong home presence in the crowds at Gleneagles in September 2014.”
Ryder Cup Europe has also announced that interest in Practice Day tickets, when spectators can not only watch the teams put the finishing touches to their preparations, but also take in a Friendship Match between Junior Ryder Cup players and enjoy an interactive fun zone at the tented village, is ahead of expectations.
Edward Kitson, Match Director for The 2014 Ryder Cup, commented: “Practice Days are becoming increasingly popular as a family event – kids can come for just £10 and you still get the opportunity to watch the world’s best golfers on course and savour the unique Ryder Cup atmosphere.”
Ryder Cup www.rydercup.com