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May 16th, 2013

Glasgow 2014 unveils ticketing ambitions for accessible and family-friendly Games

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Two-thirds of tickets to experience the action and thrills of the Commonwealth Games will be priced at £25 or less, it was revealed today.

Announcing a family-friendly ticketing strategy focused on delivering packed stadia and a ‘Games for Everyone’, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee unveiled that access to sporting events at one of the world’s greatest multi-sports Games will start from just £15 for adults.

Half-price concessions will also be available for children – a Commonwealth Games first – and the over-60s.

The price of a ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event.

At a launch briefing in the city today attended by Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, Glasgow 2014 promised a simple and accessible ticketing process and pledged that at least 70% of all tickets to all sporting events would be available to the public.

The Games Competition Schedule was revealed for the first time and it gets off to a flying start with 12 sports on Day One, including Swimming and Track Cycling. The first weekend will be very busy with both Rugby Sevens and Weightlifting expected to attract peak audiences.

It was also announced that the ticketing process will launch on August 19, 2013 and ticket applications can be made online with debit or credit cards. A postal application service will also be available.

Commonwealth and Olympic Scots athletes David Carry and Rhona Simpson backed the Ticketing Programme and joined Olympic, Commonwealth and World champion triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards at the launch this morning.

Announcing the Ticketing Programme, Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said:

“This is a big day for Glasgow 2014 and one that has taken a substantial amount of planning. This isn’t just about selling a million tickets. It’s about making the Games accessible to all. We have spent many months designing a Ticketing Programme that reflects the vision and values of Glasgow 2014. Today’s the day we set out our stall.

“We have listened and learnt from previous Commonwealth Games as well as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ve also conducted our own research. We’ve thought long and hard about the pricing, the process by which you’ll buy tickets, but also the way we communicate.

“This is a Games for everyone. And by that I mean success not just for the Organising Committee and our partners, but also for the people of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.”

Glasgow 2014 Deputy Chief Executive, Ty Speer, said:

“Our focus in developing a Ticketing Programme for Glasgow 2014 has been to make these the most family-friendly, accessible and inclusive Games we possibly can. That means having a simple, straightforward application process, a pricing structure which is accessible and methods of payment which do not exclude anyone.

“Glasgow 2014 presents the opportunity to enjoy a festival of world-class sport. We want to have our venues packed with people who can experience the excitement and action of elite sporting performances at first hand and be part of the action.

“We want to be a good host and give the warm and passionate welcome that we owe to our athletes and which they deserve. Our Ticketing Programme is designed to make sure that happens.”

Three-time Olympian and double Commonwealth champion swimmer, David Carry, said:

“Having experienced the spine-tingling and unforgettable atmosphere of London 2012 and the passion of crowds at previous Commonwealth Games, I have no doubt that the athletes hoping to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will have something incredibly special to look forward to.

“Having packed stadia and enthusiastic crowds is what absolutely makes for an electric atmosphere at competition time – and that can really impact positively on performance. I know Scotland’s swimmers will enjoy the home advantage of a Scottish crowd shouting, screaming and supporting.

“I also know that Scottish supporters will make the Games a warm, welcoming and once-in-a-lifetime experience for all the athletes. It will be a really special time for them and for Glasgow. It is great that the ticketing policy at Glasgow 2014 is making it as accessible as possible for people to be part of making Glasgow 2014 the wonderful celebration of sport that I know it will be.”

Everyone will have the opportunity to apply for the tickets they want over a four week period when the ticketing process opens later this summer.

An allocation of tickets has also been earmarked for special distribution to identified groups and communities. More details will be announced this summer.

Note to Editors

1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of
athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

2. Glasgow 2014 family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr, NVT Group, RGS, Trespass, Riedel and Ticketmaster.

3. The first phase of ticket sales will be open from 19 August to 16 September. It makes no difference whether you apply on the first or last day of this four-week window. For high demand sports and sessions that are oversold – such as the 100m final – an independent and computerised draw will select the successful applications.

4. You apply for the tickets you want. It’s not a lucky dip – there is absolutely no chance of requesting tickets for, say, Netball and being given tickets for Table Tennis. Similarly, if you ask for four tickets, you will either be successful or unsuccessful in your application for four tickets. You will not be offered one, two or three tickets.

5. A minimum of 70% of tickets for every sport session will go to the general public. This is different to most sporting events that use a general average – so some events might be as low as 30% public tickets, where others are 95%. For Glasgow 2014, whether it’s a preliminary session on the first day or the 100m final, a minimum of 70% of sport tickets will be available for general sale.

6. A pricing example is the 100m final: Tickets for this start at £20, and go up to £30, £40, £60, £70 and top price of £90. A half-price concession ticket of £15 applies to the £30 ticket. Take an earlier round of the Athletics competition, and the prices look like this: prices start at £15 (remember, this is the entry price for EVERY SPORT), and then £20, £30 and £40. Half price concessions apply across all these prices. (Concessions are available at all sporting events, but are limited for the medal sessions).

7. For Athletics, there are six price categories, but for most events we’ve just gone for two or three price bands to keep it simple.

8. For example Rugby Sevens and Rhythmic Gymnastics prelims have the same prices: £15 (£7.50 concession), £20 (£10 concession) and £25 (£12.50 concession); Weightlifting final would cost you £20 (£10 for kids) or £25.

9. Only 8% of tickets are set aside for sponsors. Our sponsors pay for tickets like everybody else.

10. Prices for the Opening Ceremony start at £40 and the Closing Ceremony at £30.

11. Ticket applications will be accepted online or with a Ticket Application Form (available within the Ticketing Guide which is published on 23 July).

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May 14th, 2013

Event: The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – A rich context to inspire learning

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When? 08:45 – 15:00, Monday, 17 June 2013
Where? Commonwealth House, Glasgow

Who should attend?
School leaders, local authority staff and those with a whole school responsibility for Games Legacy, including cluster initiatives and wider curriculum remits related to the Games (e.g. health and wellbeing).

About the event:
On Monday 17th June, there will be just 401 days before the biggest multi-sport and cultural event ever to come to Scotland opens in Glasgow. That’s less than 58 weeks! Fortunately, education establishment across the country are already preparing to incorporate learning opportunities around the Commonwealth Games in the next academic year and this event is designed to help you join their number.

It will also showcase other inspirational programmes and initiatives available to teachers to stimulate learning around the Commonwealth Games. A variety of engaging workshops delivered by practitioners and organisations experienced in Games Legacy work will provide practical, hands-on exemplification on the impact of the Games as a context for learning. Workshops will include:

• exemplification from primary and secondary schools,
• an outline of the latest curriculum developments in the areas of health and well-being, numeracy and literacy by Education Scotland,
• funding opportunities around food education in the context of the Games,
• international education and partnerships
• cluster and local authority initiatives.

A number of prominent speakers, including David Grevemberg (CEO, Glasgow 2014) will provide inspirational addresses and testimonies for anyone who seeks to use the Games as a unique opportunity in education.

For more information please refere to the programme:

How to register:
We invite you to join us for an inspirational day of sharing and collaborative thinking around a variety of exciting opportunities by registering for the event on line (http://bit.ly/GOSEvent-17June ) or directly with Diane Carson: Diane.Carson@educationscotland.gov.uk

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May 7th, 2013

Game On Challenge – put your goals for 2014 on the map

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Is your school or organisation planning to mark the Commonwealth Games with a specific initiative? A fun run or sports day perhaps? Getting involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay? A whole school initiative? Or is your local authority running a Mini Games programme?

No matter how big or small your Games related initiatives are we invite you to share them through the Game On Challenge and add to the excitement now building towards Glasgow 2014, the biggest multi-sporting event ever hosted in Scotland.

Benefits of taking the Game On Challenge

• Your school/organisation will be showcased on the Game On Challenge interactive map alongside other entries from across the UK and beyond. This will provide others with ideas and inspiration for learning through the Games.
• Every school and organisation that takes part will receive an official ‘Game On Scotland’ certificate.
• Education establishments may also be eligible for a Game On Scotland plaque in recognition of imaginative ways they have used the Games as a context for learning.
• All entries will be in with a chance to win exclusive Glasgow 2014 prizes.
• Scottish schools who sign up by the 24 May will be entered into a free prize draw to receive a visit from Clyde, the official mascot for the Games.

How do we share our challenge?

Simply visit the Take the challenge page and complete the form.

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May 1st, 2013

Game On Scotland goes live!

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We are delighted to announce that Game On Scotland has been launched today to help practitioners use the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as an inspiring, motivating and fun context for learning.

Game on Scotland is the education programme for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and has been developed as a partnership between Education Scotland, Glasgow 2014 Ltd, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.

Using Games as a context for learning has been inspirational for many educational establishments in the past and provides schools with opportunities to develop learning across the curriculum, often in partnership with their communities and relevant organisations (see case studies).

The new Game On Scotland website provides:

• key information about the Games, the 71 nations and territories in the Commonwealth
• resources, including a variety of themed learning journeys to engage learners at all stages, including suggested tasks and reflective components directly linked to Curriculum for Excellence, film/image gallery
• opportunities for schools to be part of the Games, with competitions and special events which will put learners at the heart of the Games.

Some great opportunities to get involved already

Take the Game On Challenge

Many schools and organisations are already thinking ahead towards the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Tell us about your goals and initiatives and we will literally put your schools/organisations on the interactive map.

Take part in the Game On Challenge before 24 May and your school might win a visit from Clyde, the mascot.

Athletes’ Village Art Competition

Through this competition your school can be part of the Games.

Game On Scotland is asking every school in Scotland to get their pupils to design posters, which will decorate the rooms of the Athletes’ Village. You are encouraged to hold your own competition in your school and then submit the winning pieces of artwork for inclusion in the village.

Register for the competition on the Game On Scotland website. Competition packs will be issued in August with winning entries announced in early 2014.

For your diary: Game On Scotland strategic leads event, 17 June, Commonwealth House, Glasgow. You can pre-register your interest online now

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April 29th, 2013

UNICEF, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games forge a new partnership for children

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UNICEF, the CGF and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have announced a unique collaboration that seeks to touch the lives of children in Scotland and in Commonwealth countries across the world.

This partnership brings together UNICEF, the world’s leading organisation for children, with the biggest sporting and cultural event ever to take place in Scotland, with the aim of inspiring and enabling children to be the best they can be.    

The partnership was unveiled last week by the first Olympic female boxing gold medallist, Nicola Adams, at Swinton Primary School in the east end of Glasgow – a Rights Respecting School that is supported by the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) and an example of grass roots level activity in Scotland. 

The event was hosted by pupils who demonstrated their hopes for a better future for children in song, poetry and pledges  before asking Nicola, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg, UNICEF UK Executive Director David Bull and CGF’s Bruce Robertson, to add their opinions to the wall.

 Ewan McGregor and David Beckham have also given their backing to plans to put children at the heart of Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.  The Scottish Hollywood star and England footballer are ambassadors for United Nations children’s charity Unicef .  Actor McGregor, who is from Perthshire, said the link-up “opens the door to helping transform children’s lives”.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said:

“The children of Swinton Primary in Glasgow have a powerful message for children throughout Scotland and across the Commonwealth. Put simply, they want to be the best they can be.  I am thrilled that through our new and bold partnership with UNICEF, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games aims to help them and hundreds and thousands of other children achieve that.

David Bull, UNICEF UK Executive Director, said:

“The Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow in 2014 provides us with a unique opportunity to harness the immense power of sport and culture for the best possible outcome – to improve the lives of children in Scotland and across the Commonwealth.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Glasgow 2014 and with the CGF, and look forward to making history together.“

Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said:

“We are very excited with this new partnership with UNICEF and Glasgow 2014. The Commonwealth Games movement embraces all 71 nations and territories across the Commonwealth and UNICEF works in a great many of these, helping children to have healthy, happy futures by ensuring they have access to education, healthcare and other practical assistance that will support their future development.”

Olympic boxing champion, Gold Medallist, Nicola Adam, said:

“I am absolutely delighted to support this partnership and be part of the event this morning. It was great to meet the children and hear about their aspirations and what they need to be the best they can be. This is a fantastic collaboration which will reach out to every child in Scotland and much further afield.

“I believe that every child has the right to reach their full potential and to be the best they can be and it was great to be able to tell the children my story and how I fulfilled my own potential. Hopefully there will be some inspirational messages they can take from that but I know I have definitely been inspired by the young people I have met here today.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said:

 “UNICEF improves the lives of millions of children in Scotland and around the world, and this is a groundbreaking partnership that will reach far and wide. Physical activity and sport are a powerful force for good and the Games will help to inspire children to fulfill their potential and, through this partnership, give children around the Commonwealth a better future.”

 Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:

 “The power to inspire young people in Glasgow, Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth will be one of the great legacies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.  Education and access to other opportunities can transform the lives of young people, giving them the chance to reach their potential, and I would like to wish this fantastic partnership every success.”

 UNICEF reaches children in Commonwealth countries through its global network of country offices and National Committees working to promote the rights of every child to health care, water, nutrition, education and protection with a focus on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. In Scotland, UNICEF UK has child rights education campaigns for children in schools, health settings and local government.

The partnership, with the CGF and Glasgow 2014 aims to raise funds for UNICEF’s work in Commonwealth countries around the world.

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March 28th, 2013

GHA/Cube – ‘Gold Medal’ Programme provides funding opportunities for Glasgow Schools

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March 11th, 2013

Glasgow 2014 – Cheer on the Queen’s Baton Relay

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The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay is the curtain-raiser to the Commonwealth Games. The baton will visit 71 nations and territories, cover 190,000 kilometres and involve a third of the world’s population, making it the world’s most engaging relay.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will be launched at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II will place Her message to the Commonwealth into the baton.

Over a period of 288 days the baton will cover more than 190,000 kilometres, averaging one to four days in each nation or territory. The first region the baton will be travel to will be Asia, from Asia the baton will travel onto Oceania, Africa, Americas (south), Caribbean, Americas (north) before returning to Europe.

Throughout the Commonwealth the baton will be relayed by thousands of people. Magical memories will be created on this journey across continents, terrains and time-zones. From Sydney Harbour Bridge to the forests of Rwanda; from Pacific Islands to the mountains of Scotland, the baton will showcase each nation and territory in the Commonwealth family before making its way back to Glasgow for the Opening Ceremony.

The finish line is in host nation Scotland just in time for the Opening Ceremony at the Games in Glasgow, where Her Majesty The Queen’s message to the Commonwealth will be read aloud.

You can get more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, its route and timings at www.glasgow2014.com/baton-relay.

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March 11th, 2013

500 Days to Go!

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The countdown is officially on – there are now only 500 days to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and it’s time to get excited.

The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee have marked this special milestone and created a video – with the  perfect soundtrack - celebrating all that’s great about Glasgow and showcasing the preparations for Scotland’s biggest ever sporting and cultural event.

In Australia  Sally Pearson, who won the 100m hurdles at London 2012, signalled the countdown in Sydney by wearing a “500 days to go” vest.   In Glasgow, pupils from St Stephen’s Primary School celebrated the day along with the official Games mascot, Clyde.  

Read more about 500 days to go on BBC News.

This coincides with Commonwealth Day and the Sport your Trainer event, encouraging young and old alike to show their support for the Glasgow Games.

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March 1st, 2013

Sport Your Trainers for Glasgow 2014!

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Sport Your Trainers for Glasgow 2014!

Register with SportYourTrainers@glasgow2014.com and you will receive your free downloadble ‘Digital Toolkit!

From 27 July – 3 August 2014, the best athletes from 71 nations and territories will come to Glasgow to compete in Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting event, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Games presents a unique opportunity to create positive and engaging learning experiences for children, young people and communities.

You should already have received an email inviting you and your school to Sport Your Trainers on Commonwealth Day, 11 March 2013.  Sport Your Trainers is a national campaign which asks people to wear their trainers as a symbolic gesture of support for Glasgow 2014.  So far a huge number of schools across Scotland have signed up to the campaign so don’t miss out.  This is just the first step: the Games provides a platform for learning across the curriculum, with a range of potential activities to best suit your teaching and learning needs.

Sport Your Trainers can be used as a catalyst for learning about the Commonwealth. Your school could learn about a Commonwealth country and focus on its history, culture and place in the world. It could also be a springboard for healthy activities and sporting participation – why not try a Commonwealth sport or even hold a Commonwealth-themed assembly? On signing up for Sport Your Trainers you’ll receive a Digital Toolkit filled with facts about the Commonwealth Games, art activity sheets and promotional materials.

Over half of the people of the Commonwealth are under 25 years of age and we want to make sure that the children and young people of Scotland have every chance to engage with Glasgow 2014. We have 10,000 Glasgow 2014 laces that will be distributed equally across all local authorities for them to allocate and Clyde, the Glasgow 2014 mascot, might even pay your school a visit.

Show your support for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Sport Your Trainers!

Register now:  All you have to do is email SportYourTrainers@glasgow2014.com and you will receive a link – simply click to download the Digital Toolkit.

Please note pupils are encouraged to wear their trainers to school on Sport Your Trainers day, Monday 11 March. However, it is not compulsory. Local Authorities/school senior management should use their discretion as to whether this is appropriate footwear for their schools.

Game On Scotland

If you are interested in getting your school more involved in the Games, our education programme, Game On Scotland, has been devised in partnership with the Scottish Government and Education Scotland, with support from Glasgow City Council. The programme will launch in mid-March and we’d encourage you to pre-register at http://www.gameonscotland.org/

We look forward to sharing the Glasgow 2014 experience with you and your school.

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February 27th, 2013

Glasgow 2018 – Youth Olympic Games: Back the Bid!

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 With Glasgow now being announced as one of the three remaining contestants for the Youth Olympics in 2018, the campaign to support the city as the r host has been joined by Get Set, the London 2012 education programme.  Get Set has invited all its registered schools in Britain  to join the Back our Bid campaign!

The Youth Olympic Games is a major international sporting event for the best young athletes in the world.  Inspirations awakened during the the Commonwealth Games next year would allow visions to be translated into long them legacies in Glasgow.

 Make sure you’re part of the journey from 2012, to 2014 to 2018, and together we can continue to inspire a generation of young people.

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