Those who are chasing tickets for Sydney’s Chase the Ace game may not be able to purchase them at their usual location.
Out of the nine locations, Sydney’s Mayflower Mall has been the biggest ticket-selling venue for Chase the Ace.
“You’re looking at probably 4,000 to 5,000 people in the lineup is the estimated amount,” says Greg Morrison, mall manager.
However, this weekend organizers have had to find an alternate venue.
“It was a mutual decision based on the fact that it is Mother’s Day weekend,” says Stephen Tobin, Chase the Ace Organizer. “It is temporary, so we do intend if the ace of spades stays in play we will be back there. We do have two new venues, including Cape Breton University, as well as Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.”
Morrison says there are pros and cons to being a ticket venue for Chase the Ace. While merchants are happy to see the increase in traffic, it can become chaotic.
“We can estimate crowds for the Chase the Ace, but it's harder to do estimates with a regular shopping day, but it will be a busy shopping day,” says Morrison.
Organizers had initially planned to move the draw to one location, the 5,000-seat Centre 200, but scheduling conflicts derailed those plans.
This Saturday's draw will happen at the Ashby Legion in Sydney.
“It's difficult, it makes for an interesting couple of weeks,” says Tobin.
With the mall off the roster, thousands of participants will likely flood smaller ticket-selling venues. Tobin hopes the new additions will take the pressure off the core Sydney locations.
“CBU would certainly now be one of our largest venues. Membertou Convention Centre is also close to the Sydney River area, so we think both of our new locations are well positioned to attract people from outside the core of the Sydney area,” says Tobin.
Organizers spent the day preparing more than two million tickets for sale, as the demand will be high with an estimated jackpot of $2.6 million up for grabs Saturday.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
