Why did Tokyo 2020 organisers underestimate ticket demand?

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Tokyo 2020 Organisers Underestimated Japanese Ticket Demand Due to Overwhelming Public Interest

Tokyo 2020 organisers acknowledged they underestimated the demand for tickets from Japanese residents, a situation that led to a re-evaluation of their domestic sales strategy. The initial domestic sales phase saw an unexpectedly high number of applications, prompting the introduction of a second lottery to accommodate those who were unsuccessful in securing tickets the first time around. This surge in interest highlights a significant public enthusiasm for the Games within Japan, exceeding initial projections.
Unforeseen Volume in Initial Sales

The first phase of domestic ticket sales for the Tokyo 2020 Games resulted in the sale of 3.22 million tickets, a figure that significantly surpassed the organisers' expectations. This overwhelming response indicated a deeper level of public engagement than had been anticipated, necessitating a revised approach to ticket distribution. The sheer volume of applications received in this initial wave demonstrated a substantial build-up of excitement across Japan.
Introduction of a Second Lottery Phase

In response to the unexpectedly high demand and to provide further opportunities for Japanese residents, organisers announced plans for a second ticket lottery. This subsequent phase will be exclusively open to individuals who applied but did not secure tickets during the first sales period. Organisers indicated that hundreds of thousands of tickets would be available in this second round, aiming to address the unmet demand.
High Registration for Fan ID

The enthusiasm for the Games was further underscored by the significant number of people who registered for the Tokyo fan ID, a prerequisite for making a ticket application. Over 7.5 million individuals registered for this digital identification. This high registration figure provides a clear indication of the broad interest from the Japanese public in attending the Olympic events.
Original Ticket Allocation Plans

While the exact total number of tickets to be made available is still being finalised due to ongoing venue design work, organisers had previously stated in their bid for the 2020 Games that approximately 7.8 million tickets would be offered. The substantial demand observed in the initial domestic sales phase suggests that a considerable portion of these tickets will be allocated to Japanese residents, with 70-80 per cent of all tickets generally reserved for domestic sale.

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Why did Tokyo 2020 organisers underestimate ticket demand?

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