ISSA welcomes spectators for Champs 2022

ISSA President Keith Wellington said despite the rise in cost to stage the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) this year, they are committed to not pricing out the public.

Wellington was speaking yesterday at the media launch of Champs, which will see a maximum of 20,000 fans, at the National Stadium each day from April 5 to 9.

Three thousand five hundred grandstand seats will be open daily as well as 16,500 bleacher seats and ISSA says patrons' vaccination status is not of importance.

Wellington said despite a 30 per cent increase from the last staging with spectators in 2019, ISSA wanted to ensure that the pricing for this year created value and also rewarded long-time Champs patrons.

"Despite the significant change in cost given to stage changes, we have made sure that the cost of tickets remains reflected of the value of the seat as within reach of the general Champs supporter who has remained loyal to us," Wellington said.

Bleacher tickets will cost $500 on Tuesday and Wednesday, $1,000 on Thursday, $1,500 on Friday, and $2,500 on Saturday, while Single Grandstand tickets will cost $1,000 on Tuesday, $2,500 on Wednesday and Thursday, $4,500 on Friday, and $7,500 on Saturday, in keeping with the 2019 cost.

While tickets have been made available through www.tickets.issasports.com, Wellington said that ISSA is finalising a distribution partner for those without internet access to purchase tickets, starting this Monday at 10 a.m.

While Wellington says there will be adherence to the same COVID-19 protocols, which allowed ISSA to host Champs last year, he is excited about the prospect of spectators returning to the National Stadium, especially with the latest timetable changes for finals. The 100m finals have been moved from Friday to Wednesday, with other changes made to the sprint and middle distance finals in keeping with international meet stands.

"Obviously, we expect the 100m to be a marquee event," he said. "So more persons will come out on a Wednesday if the finals are going to be on a Wednesday."