Alibaba Is The Official Ticketing & Services Provider Of The 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing
The International Olympic Committee officially partnered with Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba to be the official ticketing and services provider for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Alibaba, who is already a TOP Olympic sponsor, will now also provide the Games with a fully digital ticketing program. The program uses Alibaba’s data-driven analytics technology to allow fans not only to buy but redistribute tickets securely.
The partnership is key to the success of the Games as they will be the sole entity providing ticketing operations and services to Beijing 2022. Alibaba will use their ticketing platform Damai, one of China’s largest ticketing platforms, to distribute tickets. The goal by having one ticketing entity is to reduce costs and the possibility of complications and complexities.
The IOC plans to use the platform to sell tickets worldwide while also “[harnessing] Alibaba’s technological and data expertise.”
“The ticketing solutions provided will drive further innovation at the Olympic Games, enhance the spectator experience and reduce costs for organizers, delivering on the commitments made by Olympic Agenda 2020,” stated Timo Lumme, managing director for the IOC’s TV and marketing services.
The Alibaba ticketing deal expands the company’s 12-year partnership with the IOC. This past December, Alibaba owner Jack Ma launched the first-ever Olympic online store on its Tmall platform. Then in January, Alibaba partnered with US software manufacturer Intel to launch an AI-driven, cloud-supported athlete tracking platform dedicated to increasing fan engagement throughout the Games.
“We are proud to extend our partnership with the Olympic Games, beyond e-commerce and cloud, by supporting the Beijing 2022 ticketing programme,” stated Chris Tung, Alibaba’s chief marketing officer.
“We look forward to leveraging our technology to help provide streamlined, digitally-enabled ticket sales services to create a seamless ticketing experience for fans around the world.”
Alibaba is continuing to work with the IOC to develop both their digital strategies and ecosystem. Alibaba’s position within the Chinese marketplace makes it the perfect company to be the Official Ticketing Systems and Services Provider of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.
Such a partnership puts Alibaba in line to possibly do the same for future Olympic Games in both Paris and Los Angeles.
The 2022 Beijing Olympic Games will take place on February 4th-20th in three different zones being central Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou.
