Yesterday, Israeli media reported that golden circle tickets would be downscaled due to security concerns. And with tickets still available for the semi-final shows, KAN has stepped into action and decided to take action and make a statement.
Globes newspaper reports that KAN will now offer free tickets to Israelis who live within 40km of the Gaza Strip, at the south of Israel. The Jerusalem Post also reports the measure is a “sign of support and appreciation” for people in the south of Israel. Local authorities in the south will organise transport for citizens to Tel Aviv.
The idea behind this offer is to fill up empty seats in the semi finals which remain vacant due to the high prices of tickets – in the region of NIS 2,000 (approximately €500 / $560 USD). More than 2000 seats remain available for shows during Eurovision week.
For comparison, in Lisbon last year, prices for tickets were a third of the price than those in Tel Aviv.
Although tickets for the Grand Final sold out quickly, tickets for the semi-finals and dress rehearsals have been slower to move.
It is worth mentioning however that KAN is not the only organisation trying to promote sales and offer discounted (or free) tickets. Tel Aviv municipality has put tickets on a buy one get one free offer for citizens of the metropolitan area. Under the circumstances this will help KAN to make a bigger profit.
With ticket prices being as expensive as they are this year, it appears the Israeli public and tourists alike have decided to watch the shows from home. Hopefully the measures will serve to fill the Expo.
What do you think about KAN and Tel Aviv’s initiatives? Do you think they can solve the oversupply of tickets? Let us know below!
Let this be a lesson the future hosts and broadcasters: Don’t make ticket prices unreasonably high or it’s you who will suffer.
i’m surprised anyone bought tickets on such price.
But the real question is: why does KAN have to do those wide camera shots?
This was a nice gesture from KAN. Many thanks.
Upvote.
I live in Israel and I knew that when Eurovision gets here, I must go
A few years later since that day I said that, Eurovision is coming to Israel and I’m not going, why?
A) Green room is separated from the stage
B) Way too expensive…
If you already live in Israel and only need to pay one ticket it’s kinda doable if you really want it though.
It is but then again, reason A
Plus, it’s not abroad, so I’ll be paying quite a lot for not the full experience of Eurovision
Good point.
too little too late…I hope next year – in Amsterdam or Rotterdam? – a bigger venue will allow more affordable prices, so lots more fans can come and enjoy!
It will be in Lisbon
No. Nothing against Conan and Joao. It’s a ver niche entry, it might get votes but not enough to win.
Pure emotion and focus from North Macedonia’s Tamara
??????
*hatari starts shaking*
haha that’s great
This story broke three days ago, where have y’all been?
Busy. Duh.
The worst eurovision edition ever, really. The stage looks very small, prices were too high that area’s going to be empty and in addition we have to handle with israeli propaganda.
I don’t get the complaints about a “small stage”. How big should it be? How are you going to “fill” it? Eurovision is a made-for-tv show, what matters the most is what we see on the screen.
For the first time since ever, my family won’t be watching. The propaganda is so sad and pathetic. Compared to the previous years, this is just one big election campaign by the fascist government and they’re not even trying to make it less obvious. I wish the best to all the contestants, they deserve a better organization and the music itself is so much better than last year!
Eurovision is not all about the host country.
The government and the broadcaster are not in good terms though.
That’s a fiasco. They shouldn’t overpriced the tickets.
Every day this is getting more ridiculous. Lisbon 2018 was so much better and transparent
I actually think that this is very transparent. The problem is the ridicilous prices which now result at oversupply of tickets.
I think with Lisbon, RTP thought things through when it comes to setting ticket prices and expecting how many people will come to watch the show in Altice Arena.
With everything being pricey in Tel Aviv including tickets, how could they expect many paying people to shell out that much money for a general admissions ticket to watch a semifinal live show that probably costs as much as a front seat reservation for a foreign artist’s concert on a regular day?
Yes.
This would probably give people from that area some respite from the pressure they live under. It’s highly disappointing though that the tickets were so expensive to begin with even for locals.