MANILA, Philippines – Tickets to the much anticipated International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) inaugural leg in Manila on Nov. 28-30 will be available in early August.
IPTL COO Eric Gottschalk made the announcement during the press launch at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong on Thursday.
“One key objective is to make this event accessible to as many fans as possible and therefore we are committed to a sensitive pricing strategy for the tickets,” Gottschalk said.
“We are looking at a Php300-Php700 range for the lowest priced tickets and Php15,000 for the closest seats to the court,” said the Dubai-based IPTL COO.
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The availability of the tickets will be announced through the IPTL Twitter account (@IPTL) and known Manila media distribution channels including Philstar.com.
“The tickets will go on sale through Smart Araneta Coliseum traditional ticket outlets [Ticketnet] no later than Aug. 15 with different seating options available ranging from 3-day passes, general admission and courtside seats including premium seating, valet parking and several food and beverage options,” said Gottschalk as the IPTL awaits the final agreement with the Manila Mavericks franchisee.
The IPTL Tour will feature four teams including the Manila Mavericks to be bannered by Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Kirsten Flipkens, Daniel Nestor, Carlos Moya and Fil-Am David Cupper Treat Huey.
The other teams in the IPTL are Novak Djokovic-Ied UAE Royals, Serena Williams-bannered Singapore Slammers and Rafael Nadal-led Indian Aces.
IPTL founder and India’s doubles legend Mahesh Bhupathi said that the consortium which acquired the Manila Mavericks franchisee is already exploring TV deals with local networks to make the matches more accessible to Filipino audience.
Meanwhile, top Philippine officials welcomed the first ever world-class tennis event in the country since the “Fire and Ice” exhibition between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in Ninoy Aquino Stadium in 1989.
PSC Chairman Richie Garcia said that this is a dream come true.
“It will certainly boost not only tennis but sports in general and tourism in the Philippines,” Garcia said.
“This will help popularize and revolutionize Tennis in the country,” PSC Commissioner Salvador Andrada added.
Philippine Tennis Association president and Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez welcomed this major breakthrough as a source of inspiration for Filipino tennis players.
“To have the best players in the world competing in this unique team tennis competition will only encourage more players to take up tennis and help develop the sport in the Philippines,” said Olivarez who is hoping to have more Filipinos in the IPTL in the future.
PhilTA vice president Randy Villanueva also bared that big local events are already lined up to drum up the inaugural IPTL leg in Manila.
“We will launch many key local activities over the coming weeks to support the promotion of the event such as an IPTL style competition among the top universities with the winning team to be honored during the main IPTL event,” said Villanueva, who had a hand in choosing the players to represent Manila Mavericks.
The IPTL Tour will also have stops in Singapore on Dec. 2-4, Delhin on Dec. 6-8 and Dubai on Dec. 11-13.