Tickets are to be purchased by the club director or team representatives only. NO INDIVIDUAL TICKETS will be sold.
Ticket/Spectator Information
After much consultation within our staff and with the safety officers at the New Orleans Convention Center, the following spectator/ticket policy will be in place for the 2021 Blastoff based on capacity (everything is subject to change right up to the last minute).
Tickets: Each team will get a total of 24 tickets. That number will include admittance for coaches and players. The remaining tickets are for spectators. For example, if your roster has 2 coaches and 10 players, that leaves you 12 tickets for spectators. If you have more players, that means fewer spectators. 24 is the total for every team.
Purchase: Tickets must be purchased in advance. It is the responsibility of the club director to ensure that the club or individual teams pay for their tickets. Tickets cost $10/day, $20 for the weekend. If you have 2 coaches and 10 players, that leaves 12 tickets at $20, a total of $240. The team must get its tickets in one paid-for block. We cannot sell single-day tickets. Your packet will include tickets for both Saturday and Sunday.
Sales: Ticket sales begin Monday, January 11, online. Details to follow. It will require a credit card.
Rosters: Accordingly, your AES rosters must be completed this week, by Thursday, January 7. Those same AES rosters are needed to compete in the tournament, as well, so get on it.
Distribution: Tickets will be given 24 at a time in an envelope for each team. They will be color-coded by wave (Saturday a.m., Saturday p.m., Sunday a.m., Sunday p.m.). Tickets will be available for pickup on Friday before the tournament starting at 5 p.m. at the Hilton Riverwalk and at the convention center on Saturday.
In and out: The tournament is in MNOCC Halls B, C, D, E. The only entrance into the tournament is at Hall B and you will show and surrender your ticket there. The only exit is at Hall D and if you leave and want to return, you will get another ticket. If you leave without a ticket, you will NOT be allowed back in, no matter if you’re a player, coach, or spectator. There are no exceptions. Simply put, if you leave the playing area, get a return ticket when you exit. There will be no individual tickets for sale outside the playing area.
Ticket exchange: A different person can come on Sunday than the one who attended Saturday.
Safety Protocols: See the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center safety and cleaning procedures here.
Masks: Masks that cover the nose and mouth are MANDATORY for all coaches, officiating teams, off teams, and spectators. Anyone not wearing a mask will be asked to either put one on or leave the event. If you are a person who won’t or can’t wear masks, please stay home and watch the tournament on Baller TV.
Get Your Blastoff Hotel: We are not a stay-to-play tournament, but please reserve your rooms at one of our Preferred Properties.
When: Saturday, January 16, and Sunday, January 17, 2021
Where: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Halls B, C, D & E
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Wave Times: We will announce them later this week. Teams will play in the same wave both days. The playing area will be cleared out and cleaned after the a.m. wave on Saturday, and, of course, again Saturday night after the day is done. Sunday’s format will be different than what you’re likely used to. Four age groups will start in the morning and when they’re completed, the playing area will be cleared again for cleaning. That might make for a late day Sunday, so be prepared.
Schedule: The official schedule will be posted at advancedeventsystems.com. The schedule is always subject to change.
Parking and directions: Click on this link. The best rates are in the MNOCC lots across from Hall H between Calliope and Henderson.
Rosters: Teams can only compete if they have a completed AES Blastoff roster printed out to present to the officials at each match. There are NO exceptions. There is no pre-tournament check-in or meeting. Club directors and coaches are responsible for this. We will not be able to assist with this on site, so please get your rosters completed and have printed copies with you for each match.
T-shirts: Every player, coach and team rep gets a free T-shirt from the Louisiana Governor’s Games. T-shirts may be picked up in the Convention Center at any point during the weekend. You must present a roster when picking up so we can be sure you get the accurate number of T-shirts.
Not allowed: Outside food, coolers, tables, chairs or audio speakers. That includes phones on speaker, bluetooth speakers and portable speakers.
Chairs: CHAIRS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER.
Trophies and Medals: Age-group champions and runners up should report to the awards/photo area immediately after their respective title matches.
Lost and Found: We will do our best to keep what pops up at the championship desk.
Questions: email Lee at [email protected] or call Lee at (225)-802-2133.
Download the AES Xpress App for all scheduling information!
