Ticketmaster has delivered more than 500 online ticket sales for tennis fans with disability for the Australian Open. This is the first time that accessible tickets have been made available to purchase online without barriers.
Ticketmaster launched a bespoke online booking service to assist fans with disability through a new inclusion commitment and partnership with Get Skilled Access. Get Skilled Access is co-founded by three-time Paralympic gold medallist, nine-time wheelchair tennis grand slam winner, current world number one tennis seed and disability advocate Dylan Alcott OAM, to improve accessibility and set new standards in the live event industry.
“Get Skilled Access has been working with Ticketmaster so that fans have greater and fairer access to tickets at this year’s Australian Open. Tennis fans with accessible requirements now receive a more personalised service than ever before,” said Dylan Alcott OAM.
A recent survey compiled by Attitude is Everything (an international authority on access at live events) found that 83% of eventgoers who have disability had been put off buying tickets because of inaccessible booking systems. Many have had to pay extra to be able to buy a ticket online, or been given no option to purchase online at all.
Ticketmaster has also launched a venue-tailored accessibility guide for the Australian Open that will be available for fans to download prior to the event. These guides will act as a hub for a variety of accessible information such as parking, restrooms, accessible features, emergency procedures and maps empowering tennis fans with information to pre-plan, making it a streamlined and enjoyable experience at the Australian Open.
The latest update to Ticketmaster’s mobile app (for iOS & Android) will allow fans with accessible requirements to receive geo-targeted push notifications featuring important real-time updates. Information such as restroom and ramp locations will be sent to fans based on their exact location at Melbourne and Olympic Parks during the tournament.
Maria O’Connor, Managing Director at Ticketmaster Australia and New Zealand said: “Every fan deserves to have equal access to live entertainment, that’s why, at Ticketmaster, we’ve been working hard on this ground-breaking technology to make the ticket buying process simple for everyone. Ensuring all fans have the same access to the events they love is a process that we continue to prioritise.”
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said: “We’re delighted that more than 500 tennis fans with a disability used this new online booking service by Ticketmaster during the Australian Open.
“It’s so important to us that the AO is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, and they can come and have a great time at the tennis.”
The new technology is scheduled to roll out across more events and venues in the near future across Australia and New Zealand.
