Gold Coast 2018 have officially launched their ticket request process for next year's Commonwealth Games ©Gold Coast 2018

Gold Coast 2018 officially launched their ticket request process for next year's Commonwealth Games at an event held at Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane today.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the event, due to take place next from April 4 to 15, have until May 22 to submit a request.

Three-time Olympic swimming gold medallist and two-time world champion Samantha Riley was among the first people to submit an application for tickets.

The 44-year-old requested tickets for rugby sevens and the Opening Ceremony for her and four of her family members.

"As a mother of three young boys, I understand how important affordability is for families wanting to attend major events like Gold Coast 2018 and I know that half price children's tickets have been well received by the public," she said.

"Having been a part of the build-up to Gold Coast 2018, it was really exciting for our family to be able to request tickets today to a range of different Gold Coast 2018 events including rugby sevens and the Opening Ceremony."

The process which began today is standard practice at every Commonwealth Games and major global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games and Wimbledon.

Spectators can place a ticket request at any time during the phase.

After the conclusion of the phase, all unsold tickets will be released for sale on a first-come, first-served basis in July.

For any sessions that receive more ticket requests than there is availability, tickets will be awarded via a "fair and equal" draw.

"With a total of 278 competition sessions on offer, Gold Coast 2018 presents spectators with a wide variety of sports, venues and experiences to choose from," Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said.

"We have ensured the ticket request process is as simple as possible and have included a lot of helpful advice on our website to assist people with submitting their requests.

"And the best thing of all is that ticket prices are affordable for people of all ages, with adult tickets starting from as low as AUD$20 (£12/$15/€14) and half price children's tickets from AUD$10 (£6/$8/€7)."

Today's event saw the unveiling of a giant 192 metres squared canvas of Gold Coast 2018, depicting an image of Games Ambassador Cameron McEvoy, who won two swimming bronze medals at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

It will be showcased in the city for the next seven days.

Other events are also due to be held on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne at various stages over the next month before ticket requests close.

"From an athlete's perspective, excitement is really building towards Gold Coast 2018 and the opening of ticket requests is a major milestone that reminds us that this world class event will be on our doorstep before we know it," said McEvoy.

"I know my family and friends are really excited about submitting their ticket requests, not only for the swimming at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre but some of the other events as well such as athletics and track cycling.

"There is over 1,000 hours of world class sporting competition over the course of the 11 days during Gold Coast 2018, so there is plenty of action for spectators to choose from."

Gold Coast 2018 admitted they were experiencing a high volume of website traffic which may have caused a delay in responsiveness on the first day of the process.

Organisers reminded those interested in submitting a ticket request they have until May 22 to enter the ballot.

"No preference will be given to the time of day or date a ticket request is placed," Gold Coast 2018 wrote in a Facebook post.


The Opening Ceremony will be the highest-priced event, with category A tickets costing AUD$495 (£291/$373/€348), while the cheapest adult ticket is AUD$100 (£59/$75/€70).

A Closing Ceremony ticket will range from AUD$70 (£41/$53/€49) to AUD$350 (£206/$264/€246) for an adult, depending on the category chosen.

Children's tickets are available for those under the age of 16 from AUD$10 (£6/$7.50/€7), half the price of adult tickets in the lowest category at AUD$20 (£12/$15/€14).

Athletics will start at AUD$20 for adults and rise to AUD$150 (£88/$113/€106) for the most in-demand finals, with swimming set to begin at AUD$40 (£24/$30/€28) and peak at AUD$200 (£118/$151/€141).

Track cycling tickets will cost from AUD$50 (£29/$38/€35) for adults, while both rugby sevens and beach volleyball prices begin at AUD$30 (£18/$23/€21).

There is due to be 278 competition sessions in total, with four free events taking place during the Games - the race walk, marathon, cycling time trial and road races.

Tickets can be requested by clicking here.