?Prices Are Completely Unreasonable?: Amidst US Olympic Trials Announcement, Swimming Fans in Rage Over Ticket Prices

From June 15-23, 2024, Indianapolis will host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for swimming, drawing excitement from sports enthusiasts far and wide. The competition will be held in the famous Lucas Oil Stadium, igniting a sense of grandeur and prestige. USA Swimming hopes to surpass the record-breaking 25,000 attendees that gathered in Berlin back in 1936 for the Olympics.

The ambitious and grand decision to hold the Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium’s football field is a sign of USA Swimming and Indianapolis’ dedication to creating an unmatched spectacle for fans. Alongside the main event, the Toyota AquaZone at the Indiana Convention Center and the USA Swimming House presented by OneAmerica offer additional attractions that seek to captivate audiences and infuse the Trials with a lively sporting spirit. By doing so, the Trials promise to be a genuine celebration of the sport. Despite the fervor, some fans are grumbling about the high price of entry.

Ticket Prices surpassed expectations

According to Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office Ticket Sales website, the ticket prices on the first day that is 15 June start at $74 each and go to about $680.On the final day of the trials that is 23 June the prices start at $155 and go up to $2878. Despite the considerable price tag attached to the 2024 Trials, it’s worth mentioning that the current sales offer all attendees? tickets to every one of the 17 sessions throughout the nine-day extravaganza. USA Swimming has stated that more reasonably priced alternatives, including three-day passes and individual session tickets, will be offered later down the line. Fans anxiously anticipate the availability of cheaper options, perhaps suggesting that the step-by-step sales method has contributed to the initial view of high costs.

In the wake of this, USA Swimming made a post on Instagram stating, ?#SwimTrials24 in a football stadium is going to be INSANE Get your all-session tickets linked in our bio before the move to three-day packages tomorrow!? However, the post was met with surprising reactions. The high prices of the sold tickets surprised several fans.

Families and working-class coaches were especially concerned about the costs since they considered it prohibitive. Many people expressed disappointment because previous Trials in Omaha had been more affordable, which they said made it a more inspiring and inclusive experience.

While one compared the prices to the previous trials saying, ?incredibly expensive. Rather have it back in Omaha and save $5k?

More Reasonably Priced Alternatives

Expressing their disregards, fans stated, ?Ticket prices are completely unreasonable for families. We went to the trials in Omaha in 2021 and we an amazing experience. And it was affordable! You have out-priced families and taken away the opportunity for kids to ?dream? about going to the trials one day. This is a have and have not situation and it?s frustrating. I?m extremely disappointed!?

Another said,? The prices are already insane?. One tried to reason out explaining, ?The prices are high because this includes every single race and every single session. Next will be 3 days (all races/sessions for 3 days). After that they will release single session tix.?

One person commented saying, ?If only everyone could afford it! Still haven?t bought my ticket. Hoping maybe USA will come to their senses and lower the prices to the 2020 levels where the center bowl sold out in less than an hour. No tickets sold yet and how long have they been on sale?? Already starting 3-day tickets. ??

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Although the pricing strategy is aimed at providing an immersive experience, it has sparked debate among swimming enthusiasts. Some argue the cost has limited access and clouded the dreams of aspiring swimmers, especially children who want to witness the trials firsthand. There have been calls to rethink prices to bring them in line with previous years’ levels, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility.

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