Press Conference for 2015 IIHF World Championship (end)
event end
Press Conference for 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic

Tuesday 19.08.2014, 11:00 • Clarion Congress Hotel, Prague • Press conference
     
    That is all for this press conference. Assembled journalists are now conducting interviews with the guests.

    Thank you for following our coverage. As you have seen, the website is now live, so you can check out the game schedule and how to buy tickets, if you plan to come to Prague or Ostrava next May.

    That's all for today from the Clarion Congress Hotel in Prague. (12:19:29)
     
    The Press Conference has ended.
     
    Journalists have more questions, but there will be another press conference tomorrow which will focus on playing rules.
     
    Martin Urban: In 2004, the former Sazka Arena held about 14,100 to the public. Now it's about 1000 seats less, but higher demands are placed on the organizers. In addition, in the corners will be placed two Skoda cars, compared with 2004, when there was one."
     
    He further says that in both arenas, a certain amount of space is reserved for television broadcasts. More tickets might become available later, but that won't be known until the autumn.
     
    The next question goes to the Urban about the reduced capacity of both arenas. When they had asked Rene Fasel about how attendance will be counted, it's complicated. They have to fully integrate everybody, including the media, for example.
     
    Martin Urban answers the question about how complex it was to switch the cities Switzerland and Slovakia will play in: "It's simple. The Swiss wanted to play in Prague and the Slovaks Ostrava. A handshake was basically enough, although even these changes have rules."
     
    Accommodations are already in order. The hotels where teams are staying have been arranged, as well as hotels for journalists. As we already mentioned, the IIHF representatives have toured the facilities.
     
    Asked about railway travel between the two cities, Markéta Štěrbová says: "We will cooperate with Czech Railways. We plan to strengthen the railway line between Prague and Ostrava. They will increase the number of connections."
     
    Martin Urban notes that the record that was set Minsk was possible only under the conditions of socialism. "I cannot imagine that we can do it when a third of the arena is not available for fans to buy tickets."
     
    The next question: How important is it to re-claim the attendance record that was set in 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, but broken in 2014 in Minsk?
     
    The next question is about block tickets for the entire World Championship. Martin Urban answers: "Such fans will simply have to buy daily packages on a daily basis. Permanent tickets for the championship will be."
     
    Martin Urban adds: Any guess would be very subjective. We also want to allow access to fans, while helping to fill the coffers of the Czech Ice Hockey Association.
     
    Tomáš Král fields the question about profits: "Wishes and reality are two separate things. The OC came in with the basic aim to be in the black. Everything will depend on the success of ticket sales, and how much money we can get from the state. Access from both cities, counties and the state is excellent. I have nothing to complain about. I expect a profit, but the amount I am unable to say."
     
    Now comes questions from journalists.
     
    For more information, spokeswoman Martina Kučerová has added that the official website of the 2015 World Championship has been launched.

    iihfworlds2015.com

    It will operate in conjunction with official Facebook and Twitter pages.
     
    Unfortunately, even though capacity of the arena in Prague is listed at around 17 500 and in Ostrava 9500, not all of the seats will be available to paying customers. In Prague, about 13 000 tickets will be made available to the public, and in Ostrava just under 6000 tickets.
     
    We have chosen four games that will be downright accessible to people who have no means to buy expensive tickets. They are available for 270 CZK for the first category and for 190 CZK to the second category.
    Commentary by

    Derek OBrien

    CZ@@Djob76