PARIS — Fans hoping to watch major French stars like Victor Wembanyama and Kylian Mbappé play at next year's Paris Olympics could drive up demand when more tickets go on sale Wednesday for four sports that will be staged far from the French capital.
Fans worldwide will be able to buy tickets on a first-come, first-served basis for soccer, basketball, handball and sailing, which are all held regional venues at next year's Summer Games.
The prospect for French fans to watch wildly popular home favorites such as Wembanyama and Mbappé is sure to boost sales even though the Paris Olympics' reputation has taken a hit from an ongoing investigation by prosecutors in the city about how contracts have been awarded.
Wembanyama, the NBA's recent No. 1 draft pick, is expected to take part in the Olympic basketball tournament held in Lille. Soccer games are spread across six French cities, with France's men's team playing its first game in Marseille — which also hosts sailing.