LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tickets for the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum are sold out, announced this morning by LA2015, the World Games’ organizing committee. A crowd of more than 62,000 fans will watch 6,500 athletes from 165 nations march into the historic arena and on to the largest red carpet in Hollywood history. It is the largest gathering of nations ever for a single event in Los Angeles, surpassing the 1984 Olympic Games (140).
Fans without tickets are advised to instead tune in to the international telecast of the Opening Ceremony on ESPN beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET), the rebroadcast locally on ABC7 in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. PT and nationally on ESPN2 at 11pm PT (2 a.m. ET). Tonight’s telecast is the first-ever live telecast of the Opening Ceremony in the United States and will be hosted by Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, who is joined by ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak and Kevin Negandhi.
Due to the expected high traffic and limited parking around the Coliseum, attending fans are encouraged to “Go Metro” and use public transportation, including the Metro Expo Line and exit at Expo/Vermont Station or Expo Park/USC Station. Then, walk one block south to the Coliseum.
The inspiring Opening Ceremony of the World Games will feature a star-studded show that will celebrate the true stars of the Games - the athletes of Special Olympics - with exciting entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron. First Lady Michelle Obama will be in attendance to officially open the Games.
Headlining talent includes Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R., Cody Simpson, J Balvin, Becky G, Cassadee Pope and 'Reach Up LA' theme song creator Siedah Garrett. The show will be directed by Emmy Award Winner, Debbie Allen and produced by FiveCurrents with appearances by Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Lauren Potter, Michael Phelps, Colin Farrell, Greg Louganis, Stephanie McMahon and many more.
EVENT TIMELINE
GATES OPEN: 3:00 PM
SHOW START TIME: 5:00 PM
ESPN COVERAGE: 6:00 PM
LA2015 encourages attendees to arrive early to ensure time for security screenings and entry to the Coliseum in time for the start of the show. Services including Merchandise and Spectator Information will be provided starting at 3pm.
The first full day of World Games competition, with its unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will begin on July 26 and feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region.
For more information on the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, including competition and festival schedules, visit www.LA2015.org and on social with #ReachUpLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.