Tickets on sale for 2018 World Boccia Championships
The BISFed World Boccia Championships, funded by The National Lottery, is set to attract 190 players from 33 countries to Exhibition Centre Liverpool from the 12-18 August 2018. A limited number of early bird tickets are now available and are expected to sell out quickly.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport where the aim is to throw or roll balls closer to the target ball, the jack, than your opponent. All boccia athletes have an impairment that affects all four of their limbs. The majority of players use an electric wheelchair for mobility. It is a sport which requires strategic skill, superb muscle control and precision. More information about Boccia and classification.
In Liverpool, athletes will battle it out for world titles, as well as crucially important ranking points ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. Hopes are certainly riding high for the British team. Leading the way is David Smith MBE who won gold at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
David said:
“For us as athletes, it’s a huge coup that it is taking place on home turf. Support from a home crowd means everything – we felt it in London 2012 and it was spectacular – and I truly believe that knowing the crowd is willing you on really can lift your performance to another level.
“This is also the first ever international boccia event, outside of a Paralympics that is ticketed so it is a big moment for the sport. The Championship team is being really innovative in the way it is building a brilliant, spectator-friendly event so if you have never seen international boccia before, here’s your chance. We would really love to see as many of you – schools, clubs, individuals and families – out in force to support us."
This is a great opportunity to watch world class sporting action ahead of the Paralympic Games in just two years’ time. But the event also aims to create a long-lasting legacy. A family-friendly sports festival showcasing the sport of boccia and the opportunities to play will run alongside the nail-biting sporting action.
The individual competition will take place from 12-15 August.
The Team and pairs competition will take place from 16-18 August.
Chair of Boccia UK, John Dowson explained:
“Boccia saw sell-out crowds in London 2012 and Rio 2016. The sport is growing at a terrific pace internationally so we are thrilled to be hosting the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships. It’s the largest event on the boccia calendar and we are gearing up to provide an unrivalled experience for both athletes and spectators.”
BISFed is the International Federation for Boccia. President of BISFed, David Hadfield said:
“I am very excited that we are bringing international boccia to the city of Liverpool. The World Championships is the most important event outside the Paralympic Games, and with more countries and athletes participating than ever before, I am confident that Boccia UK and its partners will deliver a magnificent tournament.”
The BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships has been made possible thanks to UK Sport’s National Lottery funding through its Major Events Programme.
Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport said:
“We invest National Lottery funding into major sporting events to inspire the nation; hosting the Boccia World Championships will play a key part in helping us achieve this. We look forward to working in partnership with GB Boccia, City of Liverpool and ACC Liverpool to bring this pinnacle event to the UK.”
Early bird ticket prices - available until Sunday 11 March 2018
- Adult - £12.00
- Concession (16yrs+ and over 65) - £7.50
- Carers - no charge
Standard ticket prices - from Monday 12 March 2018
- Adult - £15.00
- Concession (16yrs+ and over 65) - £9.00
- Carers - no charge
Please note: booking fees applicable on both early bird and full price ticket purchases.
