The main Events
ATHLETICS
3–11 August
OVERVIEW
Not just one event of course but a multitude of disciplines taking in track, field, combined and road competitions, athletics is the cornerstone and focus of any Olympics. More than 2,000 athletes will taking part, including sprint superstar Usain Bolt [pictured, right] a number of Britons who have been working towards medal performances since the Games was awarded to London six years ago, including heptathlete Jessica Ennis
[pictured, left].
HIGHLIGHTS
So many to choose from, but perhaps the most sought-after tickets will be for 5 August, when the fastest men on the planet, including Jamaican Bolt, will do battle for 100m glory. Native east Londoner Christine Ohuruogu defends her 400m title on the same day, while Ennis
looks to add Olympic gold to her world and European titles on 3 and 4 August. Triple jump king Phillips Idowu, a silver medallist in Beijing, will be looking to go one better on 9 August, while the sprint relays round off the track action on 11 August.
VENUES
Nearly all of the athletics will take place in the brand new, 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Stratford’s Olympic Park, apart from the road events, such as the marathon, where Paula Radcliffe represents the best British hope, which will finish on The Mall.
CORPORATE TICKET INFO
Hospitality chiefs boast that facilities at the Olympic Park will be the very best of any sporting experience in the world. At least six restaurants capable of sitting a total of 3,000 guests and the best seats in the house will cost £45,000 for a table of 10, contingent on buying packages for cheaper, less in-demand events. If you want the best, it comes at a price. For more information call Prestige on 0844 728 2012 or email info@prestigeticketing.london2012.com
TENNIS
28 July–5 August
OVERVIEW
Five medals are up for grabs in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as the mixed doubles. The competition is taken seriously by the world’s elite: witness Rafa Nadal winning gold in Beijing.
HIGHLIGHTS
The big question will be whether Andy Murray [pictured, above] can bring cheer to success-starved British tennis fans. If a grand slam continues to elude the Scot, Olympic gold could yet prove his crowning achievement. He’ll hope to be in the men’s singles final on 5 August.
VENUE
Wimbledon, the home of lawn tennis, will get a rare second major airing of the year. The finals take place on the recently refurbished Centre Court.
CORPORATE TICKET INFO
Guests will enjoy the very same facilities they would at the Championships, albeit with a flavour of the same food and entertainment available at other Olympic sites. Prices for a table of 10 start at £4,950, rising to £9,950 for the two singles finals, which also require other packages to be purchased. For more information call Prestige on 0844 728 2012.
EQUESTRIAN
28 July–9 August
OVERVIEW
The equestrian events are divided into three disciplines: dressage (2-8 August), eventing (28-31 July) and jumping (4-8 August), all taking place just a stone’s throw from both central London and the main Olympic site in Stratford.
HIGHLIGHTS
Zara Phillips [pictured, below], the Queen’s grand-daughter, is hoping for success in eventing and is among the best British hopes of a medal. Her participation is expected to bring the sport to the attention of a wider audience.
VENUE
Greenwich Park is hosting all
of the equestrian events, including the cross country, and is proving a popular destination for corporate clients who have already registered their interest in tickets.
CORPORATE TICKET INFO
A two-storey facility with a traditional theme boasting two restaurants with a total of 500 covers is being constructed just metres from the action. Prices for tables of 10 start at £4,950 and rise to up to £9,950 for finals. For more information call Prestige on 0844 728 2012.
ROWING
28 July–4 August
OVERVIEW
Team GB has a strong heritage in rowing, from the historic achievements of quadruple gold-winning Sir Steve Redgrave to the world-renowned Boat Race.
HIGHLIGHTS
The action hots up on 1 August, the first of four days of finals in which home competitors are strongly fancied to make an impact on the podium. Team GB duo Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase [pictured, above] struck gold in the men’s lightweight double sculls four years ago, and will be looking to repeat that feat on 4 August.
VENUE
All disciplines are taking place at Eton Dorney, an eight-lane course set in parkland near Windsor Castle. It is a short train or car journey (parking available at the neighbouring racecourse) from London.
CORPORATE TICKET INFO
Seats are right on the finish line and the double-decker restaurant will seat 500. Prices for a table of 10 range from £4,950 to £7,950, the latter for finals days which also require buying a package for a lower category event. For more information call Prestige on 0844 728 2012.
FOOTBALL
26 July–11 August
OVERVIEW
Hopes are high that Team GB can deliver some long-awaited home cheer on the international football stage, even if that dream has been undermined a touch by internal wrangling. The men’s team, which must be made up largely of under-23s and is tipped to involve David Beckham as either a player or a coach, will have to see off 15 other nations, while the women’s competition features 12 teams.
HIGHLIGHTS
Due to the largely youthful nature of the competition, it’s a chance to see some of the stars of tomorrow, with Argentina’s 2008 winning side boasting the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero. The holders have not qualified for London 2012, but Brazil are likely to bring Neymar, while Team GB—which may only include English players—could feature youngsters such as Ipswich’s Connor Wickham and Southampton’s Alex Chamberlain.
VENUES
The most widely spread of all events, it’s being held as far afield as Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Coventry and, of course, London. Wembley is the capital’s sole football venue and will host both finals: women’s on 9 August and men’s on 11 August. At 90,000 it is one of the world’s biggest stadia and the ideal setting for Team GB to claim gold, just as they did in 1908 and 1912.
CORPORATE TICKET INFO
Wembley will have up to 17,000 premium seats and hospitality places for each match, all in the Club Wembley area. Ticket prices range from £67.50 to £192.50, while ticket and hospitality prices for restaurants and suites will be £270 to £630 per person, per event. For more information call 0844 980 0038.