116,000 bid for Paralympic tickets

A total of 116,000 people applied for 1.14 million Paralympic tickets, London 2012 said today.

Sell-outs in 126 out of 300 ticketed sessions mean that a random ballot will decide who gets to see 16 out of the 20 Paralympic sports that are part of the Games.

Demand outstripped the number of tickets available in at least one price category in 16 sports also also for the Olympic Park day pass.

The opening and closing ceremonies are also oversubscribed in some price categories.

Sports which had sell-outs in at least one price level included archery, athletics, Boccia, track cycling, equestrian dressage, football, goalball, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis and the Olympic Park Day Pass.

London 2012 chairman Paul Deighton said: "We are absolutely delighted by the response to Paralympic Games tickets and we would like to thank the British public.

"The UK's love of sport and support for the Paralympic movement shows that they have taken the Games to their heart.

"When the Paralympic Games come home next summer we can look forward with confidence to packed venues cheering on our athletes."

Applications for the first 1.5 million tickets for the London 2012 Paralympics ran between September 9-26.

Postal applications are now being checked before the ballots will take place.

Payment will be taken by October 31 and applicants will find out if they have been successful by November 18.

Three-quarters of the total two million tickets available before the Games are priced at £20 or less, and half at £10 or less.

More than 4,200 Paralympic athletes, with a variety of disabilities, from 150 nations will take part in 20 sports.

International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven described the public demand as "phenomenal".

He said: "To have over a million tickets applied for 11 months out from the Games is unprecedented and underlines the growing excitement for what will be a tremendous sporting event.

"This will be the first time ballots have been held for a number of sports and I could not be more thrilled."

Spectators will get two more chances to buy tickets on a first-come first-served basis.

All unsold Paralympic tickets, along with what remains of the Olympic football tickets, will go on sale in December.

Another online ticket release is set for April 2012. This will probably coincide with the big rush of people still trying to get a seat at the Games. Up to another 1.3 million tickets may come up for sale.

The exact number of tickets in this batch will also be influenced by the finalised seating and staging plans for the ceremonies which affect the amount of space which will be used.

PA