Bernard Giudicelli, president of the FFT and Jean-François Vilotte, director general, announced the good news Thursday afternoon. The ticket office for the new autumn edition of Roland-Garros (September 27-October 11) will open on July 9 for licensees of the federation, the following Thursday for all fans. With a gauge set between 50 and 60% of the usual stadium capacity.
Thus, 20,000 people are expected on the entire site for the first days (against 40,000 in normal times) and 10,000 (instead of 20,000) on the Sunday of the men’s final. “We are adapting and we will adapt to the health context,” recalls Bernard Giudicelli. We favored this option in consultation with the State services and following the advice of the college of scientific experts. We have prepared a protocol to protect visitors to this historic edition. “
The situation is of course expected to evolve with the easing or tightening of constraints by the start of the new school year … “We don’t have a crystal ball, blows Jean-François Vilotte, but a tournament like Roland-Garros is preparing well in advance and this option seems the most credible. “
60% of places for licensees
The priority sale to licensees (60% of places) will therefore open on July 9, a week before that for the general public. With a more flexible system than usual. On the three main numbered courts (Central, Suzanne-Lenglen and Simonne-Mathieu), tickets will be sold simply by day and category. The exact location will be communicated in mid-September. Individuals or groups of up to four people will be separated by an empty seat according to the regulations in force, for example, in cinemas.
On the short annexes, where placement is free, one seat out of two will be physically condemned to maintain social distancing. “There will be roughly 50 to 60% of the usual gauge for strict compliance with barrier gestures,” explains Giudicelli. The rates do not change from the tournament scheduled for the spring. From 20 euros for a single entry at the start of the competition to 260 euros for a premium seat for the last Sunday.
To your masks
We will have to get used to it. Wearing a mask will be recommended in a static position and around the stadium and mandatory in a dynamic situation. Small consolation, bits of fabric stamped RG will now be part of the range of merchandising … The different spaces will be arranged to avoid population groups. Cleaning and disinfection will be intensified and gel dispensers will be installed in the main areas of the stadium.
Regarding catering, the rules in force in the fall for the sector will apply to the tournament for the protection of employees and customers. “If necessary, we can also set up a single direction clockwise around the courts to avoid crossing paths,” notes Jean-François Vilotte. Simple things, understandable by all. »At the moment, no temperature control is planned at the entrance.
A scalable option
“If the health development is favorable, we will make additional sales, observes Jean-François Vilotte. And if the standards became more stringent, forcing us to reduce capacity, we would refund the excess tickets on the basis of a draw, which seems the fairest. There will be no geographic discrimination when buying for fans from abroad. On the other hand, these will in no case be reimbursed if they are forced to give up their trip in France. “People buy with knowledge of the risks and uncertainties,” continues Vilotte. They cannot take advantage of any unforeseen circumstances… ”
