The world's attention will this weekend turn to Gaborone, as the popular relays mark a historic milestone, being held on African soil for the first time. The National Stadium will be at the centre of global athletics, but as the significance of the occasion is undeniable, the build-up has been anything but smooth. Three days before the event, information MmegiSport obtained from the official World Athletics Relays ticketing platform reflects a clear shift in momentum. Following sluggish early sales and largely attributed to concerns over pricing, organisers moved to introduce a two-day combo package for local fans, priced at P500 for adults, P300 for students and P200 for children under 18. The adjustment appears to have reignited interest, with ticket uptake improving significantly in the final stretch. The South Stand, popularly known as the UB Stand, has emerged as the standout performer. Positioned closest to both the starting and finishing points, it offers fans a front-row view of the most decisive moments of each race. Unsurprisingly, several sections, including South D and South K, are sold out, whilst others are nearing capacity, making it the most in-demand area in the stadium.
The East Stand, or Panda Stand, follows as the second most popular. Sections such as East A are nearly sold out with only a few seats remaining, whilst East C, the largest section, has limited availability. However, some areas like East B and East D remain largely empty, pointing to uneven distribution rather than a lack of interest. The lower sections of the stand have performed strongly, with some areas reaching up to 80% capacity. In contrast, the North Stand has recorded the slowest uptake. Large sections such as North C remain mostly empty, whilst North E and North F have seen minimal activity. Still, there are pockets of strong demand, with North M sold out and North K nearly full, suggesting selective buying patterns amongst fans rather than outright rejection of the stand. Premium seating has quietly performed best. The Grand Stand, which houses VVIP guests and is largely occupied by government and corporate stakeholders, is sold out. Gold and VIP sections have also reached full capacity, underlining strong institutional backing compared to the more price-sensitive individual market. For international visitors, ticket pricing remains on the higher end, with general access going for $25 (approximately P338), Gold seats at $120 (around P1,622), and VVIP tickets at $170 (about P2,298). Despite the late surge, the event has had to contend with a somewhat muted global buzz. The withdrawal of several high-profile athletes from sprint powerhouses such as the United States and Jamaica has slightly dampened the hype, raising questions about star appeal ahead of the competition.
