Everything you need to know about tickets for the 2012 Olympics

Ticket application process

The application phase for Olympic Games tickets opens on Tuesday 15 March 2011 and closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 April 2011.

The application phase for Paralympic Games tickets will open on 9 September 2011 and will follow a similar sales process to Olympic Games tickets. If you would like to apply for tickets to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, you can make a start by registering your interest at www.tickets.london2012.com

Tickets are only available on the official London 2012 ticketing website (www.tickets.london2012.com) for people who are aged 16 and over and are residents of the UK or residents of designated European countries. London 2012 also welcomes applications from UK Armed Forces.

UK residents who do not wish to apply for tickets online can do so using the paper ticket application form contained in the Official Ticketing Guide, which can be collected from your local Lloyds TSB branch (or Bank of Scotland in Scotland only) and your local library in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011.

If you are not a resident of the UK or a designated European country, regardless of citizenship, you will need to apply for tickets via your National Olympic Committee (NOC) or National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

How can you apply for tickets?

London 2012 has tried to make the ticket application process as simple as possible. However, with so many sports, venues and days to consider, London 2012 recommend you take your time and discuss your plans with family and friends. Applications will be accepted between 15 March and 11.59pm on 26 April 2011 – there is no advantage to submitting your application on the first day or the last day. Please note that you can only submit one application per email address and Visa card, and there are ticket limits per session. For sessions where demand for tickets exceeds supply, London 2012 will use an automated random selection process (ballot) to ensure the fairest possible allocation of tickets on a session-by-session basis. The London 2012 ballot aims to maximise the number of different applicants who will be allocated tickets to the Games.

Online

You can apply online using a Visa card (debit, credit or prepaid). This is the quickest and easiest way of applying for tickets. If you would like to apply online but do not have access to the internet please use the computers at your local library. Please note that you will need a valid email address to apply online. If you do not have a Visa card, your bank will be able to help you select and apply for the Visa product that most suits your needs. Alternatively, a Visa prepaid product is a quick and easy way to start paying with Visa immediately. For more information on obtaining a Visa product, please visit the Visa website.

Ticket application form

The Official Ticketing Guide includes a paper ticket application form which you can complete. You can collect an Official Ticketing Guide from your local Lloyds TSB branch (or Bank of Scotland in Scotland only) and your local library in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011. You can use a Visa card as your preferred method of payment or pay by cheque or postal order. Please note that cheques and postal orders must be in pounds sterling (£) and made payable from the person whose name is on the accompanying ticket application form. You can only submit one application per person. If you submit a paper application form using a Visa card as your preferred method of payment, London 2012 recommend it is sent to them via a secure postal method to enable you to track and trace your application, such as Special Delivery.

Ticket sales timelines

Key timeline

* Applications for Olympic Games tickets accepted between 15 March 2011 and 11.59pm on 26 April 2011

* Applications processed between May 2011 and June 2011

* Notifications sent to all applicants in June 2011

* Applications for Paralympic Games tickets open on 9 September 2011

* Please note that your application is only a request for tickets. All applicants will be notified via email or letter if they have been successful in obtaining tickets in June 2011.

Ticket ballot and payment

For sessions where demand for tickets exceeds supply, London 2012 will use an automated random selection process ('ballot') to ensure the fairest possible distribution and allocation of tickets on a session-by-session basis.

Once the application process is complete, payment will be taken from all successful applicants between Tuesday 10 May 2011 and Friday 10 June 2011.

Ticket information for disabled people

The ticketing process

London 2012 has created a ticketing process which is inclusive and accessible. It is designed to enable the fairest possible distribution and allocation of tickets on a session-by-session basis.

It is important to London 2012 that disabled people can apply for tickets through the same process. You are encouraged to apply for tickets and London 2012 are committed to delivering a high standard of customer service.

Accessibility ticketing provision

* Wheelchair spaces

Wheelchair spaces are available in all price categories for every Olympic sport, subject to availability. A companion seat is included in the cost of a ticket for a wheelchair space. Where applicable, the special prices for young people and seniors are also available when purchasing a wheelchair space. You can also apply for tickets for accompanying family or friends on the same application, all of whom will be seated next to, or as close as possible to, the wheelchair space and companion seat.

* Additional accessibility requirement

London 2012 is committed to meeting the needs of as many disabled people as possible, including those who require a seat but have additional accessibility requirements. When you apply for tickets, please indicate, for each session, if you have an additional accessibility requirement which would enhance your spectator experience or that of members of your party. All members of a party will be located together so you do not need to advise how many people have additional accessibility requirements. London 2012 will do everything they can to give you a great spectator experience, including enabling you to choose a location within the venue that best meets your needs. The options are:

* Seats close to the action for visually impaired people

* Seats with a direct view of a video screen for people who are deaf or have impaired hearing

* Seats for people who cannot manage many steps, at the back or the front of a stand

* Seats for people who need to be on the end of a row

Getting there

There will be a limited number of parking spaces at venues for UK Blue Badge holders or members of an equivalent national scheme. You will be able to book Blue Badge parking once you have received confirmation of your tickets, at which point further details will be available.

Once inside a venue, disabled spectators will be able to make use of 'Games Mobility' which will help you get around. This free service will be easy to find once you enter the venue and will loan out manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters and guide visually impaired people to their seats. You will be able to book this service once you have received confirmation of your tickets, at which point further details will be available.

Travel

Allow plenty of time to travel to, from and between venues. The venues are spread around the city and London will be significantly busier than usual, so plan carefully. Travel to venues outside London will also be busier so make sure you plan ahead.

Spectators with tickets for sporting events in London will receive a Games travelcard which will entitle them to travel within zones 1 – 9 of the London public transport network on the day of their event.

Spectators with a ticket for a sporting event at Eton Dorney, Lee Valley White Water Centre and Hadleigh Farm will also receive a Games travelcard for use on public transport in London on the day of their event. These spectators will be able to travel by rail between London and the venue stations for Eton Dorney, Lee Valley White Water Centre and Hadleigh Farm using their Games travelcard.

To get to the regional football venues and Weymouth & Portland, sporting event ticket holders will be able to use national rail (for which a special Games travel ticket will be available), dedicated park-and-ride sites, shuttle bus services, cycle networks (with limited cycle parking spaces) and direct coach services to venues from around the UK.

Street parking will not be possible for spectators and we strongly encourage walking, cycling, park-and-ride services and the use of public transport. There will be no public parking at venues other than for disabled spectators who are UK Blue Badge holders or members of an equivalent national scheme.

TOP 10 TICKETING TIPS

Ticket prices

1. It's a marathon, not a sprint. You can apply for tickets between 15 March and 26 April 2011. Take your time – it's not first come, first served. Everyone has an equal chance.

2. Start planning. There are 26 exciting sports to choose from, all of which will offer a great Games experience. Talk to friends and family about the sports you want to see.

3. Think about your budget. Tickets start from just £20 in every sport, and 90 per cent cost £100 or less.

4. It's a family affair. There are special prices for young people and seniors across all sports and in more than 220 sessions, so the whole family can enjoy the greatest show on earth.

5. The Games are for all. Wheelchair spaces are available in all price categories for every sport, subject to availability – and a companion seat is included in the cost of a ticket for a wheelchair space. Accessible seating will also be available.

6. Increase your chances. Consider applying for the early rounds of competition, not just the sessions when medals will be awarded.

7. It's a UK-wide Games. The Olympic Park is in east London, but competition will take place at venues across the capital and around the UK.

8. You will need a Visa card to apply online. Visa will be the only payment card accepted when you apply for tickets on the official London 2012 ticketing website. You can also pay by cheque or postal orders if you apply using the paper application form contained in the official ticketing guide.

9. Don't be fooled by bogus websites and organisations claiming to sell tickets to the Games. The official London 2012 ticketing website is www.tickets.london2012.com.

10. Sign up! Sign up at www.tickets.london2012.com to get all the information you need to help you apply for the greatest tickets on earth.

There will be a total of 8.8 million tickets on sale – 75 per cent of which will be available to the public via the ticket application process. Ninety per cent of tickets will be priced £100 or under, two thirds of tickets will be priced £50 or under and 2.5 million tickets will be priced at £20 or under.

The wide range of ticket prices will see those at the higher end of the market balancing the availability of millions of lower price tickets on sale.

There will also be special ticket prices for over 200 sessions, with a 'Pay Your Age' scheme for young people aged 16 or under in 2012. So anyone aged 11 will pay £11, an eight year old £8 and so on. People over 60 will pay £16 for these sessions.