SECTION 13 – TICKETING AND ACCREDITATION

The seating was dealt with in the previous section but it is also necessary to consider the access requirements of the different groupings. Access to specific areas is being controlled by tickets for spectators and by accreditations for players, officials, etc.

1. Plan for ticket sales

A plan should be prepared for all seats that may be sold on each day of the event. This plan should take into consideration that the seats for sale may vary from day to day depending on the hall layout and the seats reserved for non-paying spectators.

Tickets can either be sold for sections or for individual numbered seats. 

2. Printing of tickets

Tickets must be printed for each session of play, either as day tickets or tickets for all sessions in one.

If fewer spectators than the capacity of the venue are expected, costs can be kept lower by printing tickets for selected areas only. 

3. Plan for accreditation

A plan for accreditation must be made to decide who has access to which areas of the venue. Some general guidelines are:

-The Referee and BEC officials must have access to all areas.
-Arena access should only be given to those with the need for it. This would include the Referee, BEC officials, players, team managers, coaches, technical officials, match control, stewards, photographers and court equipment staff.
-The fewer levels of access, the easier they are to control.

4. Signed access areas

The different access areas must be clearly marked with an indication of who can enter. An easy way to distinguish between sections is to give each section a number or a letter and a colour code.

5. Types of accreditations

The usual form is a badge on a cord or chain to hang around the neck. The name, function, photo and access authorities of the accredited person can be the information on the badge. The information on the badge must be clearly displayed so that it can be checked by a steward at a glance.

The advantage of using photos is that they ensure that only the intended holder can use the accreditation. On the other hand, it adds to the costs. Therefore, it should be reviewed whether photos are required. If photos are to be used the relevant machinery to take, print and laminate them is required. Also, planning the accreditation process is important to avoid waiting time. Asking for passport photos to be sent in advance can take some pressure off the accreditation desk. 

6. Distribution of accreditations

Accreditations can either be distributed in the information packages given to team managers or at accreditation desks at the official hotels or at the venue.

It must be considered that people may need to have access to certain areas like practice venue already before being given their accreditations.

7. Accreditations for team officials

BEC recommends that the number of accreditations given to Member Associations follows the number of players registered for the event:

Number of players	Number of accreditations for team officials
3 or less	1
4-6	2
7-10	3
11-15	4
16-20	5