This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12741934

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
2012 Olympics tickets go on sale 2012 Olympics tickets go on sale
(40 minutes later)
Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have gone on sale, 500 days ahead of the event.Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have gone on sale, 500 days ahead of the event.
Some 6.6 million tickets are available to buy over a six-week period, in which every application will be treated equally, say the organisers. Some 6.6 million tickets href="http://www.tickets.london2012.com/" >are available from the London 2012 website over a six week period and organisers say all applications will be treated equally.
Prices range from £20 to £2012 and oversubscribed events will be decided by a ballot. Prices range from £20 to £2,012 and oversubscribed events will be decided by a ballot.
On Monday a giant clock counting down the days until the start of the Games was unveiled in Trafalgar Square.On Monday a giant clock counting down the days until the start of the Games was unveiled in Trafalgar Square.
BBC sports editor David Bond said the ticket sale launch would be the first real test of public appetite for the event.BBC sports editor David Bond said the ticket sale launch would be the first real test of public appetite for the event.
Organisers said they were confident they had done everything they could to avoid the website crashing as people log on for the first time to buy tickets.Organisers said they were confident they had done everything they could to avoid the website crashing as people log on for the first time to buy tickets.
The main factor is the establishment of a 42-day sales process which means each application between now and 26 April will be treated in exactly the same way.The main factor is the establishment of a 42-day sales process which means each application between now and 26 April will be treated in exactly the same way.
People can also apply for tickets using a paper form, which is included in the official ticketing guide.People can also apply for tickets using a paper form, which is included in the official ticketing guide.
Ticketing guides are available at branches of Lloyds TSB in England and Wales, or Bank of Scotland in Scotland and libraries in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011.Ticketing guides are available at branches of Lloyds TSB in England and Wales, or Bank of Scotland in Scotland and libraries in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011.
Popular events like the ceremonies, big swimming and athletics finals and the track cycling are likely to be oversubscribed and decided by a random ballot.Popular events like the ceremonies, big swimming and athletics finals and the track cycling are likely to be oversubscribed and decided by a random ballot.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said he was confident the Games would be a sell out.London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said he was confident the Games would be a sell out.
Half a billion pounds is forecast to be raised from ticket sales.Half a billion pounds is forecast to be raised from ticket sales.
Ticketing websites often struggle to cope with the first rush on a major event, and sometimes crash.Ticketing websites often struggle to cope with the first rush on a major event, and sometimes crash.
"Why don't they plan for this?" is the usual cry. In most cases they could, but it all comes down to money."Why don't they plan for this?" is the usual cry. In most cases they could, but it all comes down to money.
If companies designed their systems to comfortably cope with occasional massive spikes in traffic, they would be over-specified for the rest of the time.If companies designed their systems to comfortably cope with occasional massive spikes in traffic, they would be over-specified for the rest of the time.
Imagine a department store that invested in 20m-wide doors just to cope with the January sales.Imagine a department store that invested in 20m-wide doors just to cope with the January sales.
However, new technology could help deal with the busy periods, without causing costs to skyrocket.However, new technology could help deal with the busy periods, without causing costs to skyrocket.
Cloud computing allows companies to hire 'virtual' server capacity from specialist data centres.Cloud computing allows companies to hire 'virtual' server capacity from specialist data centres.
There is clearly a lot of prestige associated with an event like the Olympics, and getting it right would be a feather in the cap for Ticketmaster.There is clearly a lot of prestige associated with an event like the Olympics, and getting it right would be a feather in the cap for Ticketmaster.
One thing buyers should be wary of is turning elsewhere if the main website does go down.One thing buyers should be wary of is turning elsewhere if the main website does go down.
There will be plenty of bogus retailers out there, waiting to get hold of their credit card details.There will be plenty of bogus retailers out there, waiting to get hold of their credit card details.
Several events will be free, such as the marathon, and 2.5 million tickets will be available for £20 and under. Others start at between £30 and £50.Several events will be free, such as the marathon, and 2.5 million tickets will be available for £20 and under. Others start at between £30 and £50.
Children under 17 will be able to "pay-your-age" to see some of the early heats, while the over-60s can watch for £16.Children under 17 will be able to "pay-your-age" to see some of the early heats, while the over-60s can watch for £16.
In total, there are 8.8 million tickets but some 1.2 million are reserved for various government bodies, the London mayor, sponsors and athletes.In total, there are 8.8 million tickets but some 1.2 million are reserved for various government bodies, the London mayor, sponsors and athletes.
Games organisers have faced calls from the London Assembly for a record of all tickets reserved for officials, politicians and VIPs to be published.Games organisers have faced calls from the London Assembly for a record of all tickets reserved for officials, politicians and VIPs to be published.
A further two million tickets for the Paralympic Games go on sale on 9 September.A further two million tickets for the Paralympic Games go on sale on 9 September.
There has been some criticism of the ticket-buying process as all online tickets can be only paid for with a Visa card.There has been some criticism of the ticket-buying process as all online tickets can be only paid for with a Visa card.
Olympics organisers Locog say this is in recognition of Visa's sponsorship of the Games, but critics say that is unfair.Olympics organisers Locog say this is in recognition of Visa's sponsorship of the Games, but critics say that is unfair.
Visa Europe has said people who do not have a Visa debit or credit card and do not wish to get one can obtain a Visa prepaid card to purchase Olympic tickets.Visa Europe has said people who do not have a Visa debit or credit card and do not wish to get one can obtain a Visa prepaid card to purchase Olympic tickets.
Concerns have also been raised about payments made on Visa debit cards.Concerns have also been raised about payments made on Visa debit cards.
Locog says payment will be taken between 10 May and 10 June and people will be told by 24 June which events they have tickets for.Locog says payment will be taken between 10 May and 10 June and people will be told by 24 June which events they have tickets for.
This could mean money going out of bank accounts before the buyer knows which tickets they are getting.This could mean money going out of bank accounts before the buyer knows which tickets they are getting.
Efforts are being stepped up to curb ticket touting, with the government planning to raise the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000.Efforts are being stepped up to curb ticket touting, with the government planning to raise the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000.
Earlier, a 6.5m (21ft) clock started counting down at 1930 GMT on Monday, in the square that was the scene of great celebrations in 2005 when London won the bid to host the Games.Earlier, a 6.5m (21ft) clock started counting down at 1930 GMT on Monday, in the square that was the scene of great celebrations in 2005 when London won the bid to host the Games.
Champion rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson pulled the covers off the clock, as 2012 chairman Seb Coe, London Mayor Boris Johnson and world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis looked on.Champion rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson pulled the covers off the clock, as 2012 chairman Seb Coe, London Mayor Boris Johnson and world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis looked on.
Clad in brushed stainless steel panelling, it is two-sided with one side counting down to the Olympics and the other to the Paralympics.Clad in brushed stainless steel panelling, it is two-sided with one side counting down to the Olympics and the other to the Paralympics.
Ennis, who is aiming for her first Olympic gold at London 2012, said: "We all know that having a home Olympics is unique but the countdown clock is just bringing it all to light. It is all so exciting."Ennis, who is aiming for her first Olympic gold at London 2012, said: "We all know that having a home Olympics is unique but the countdown clock is just bringing it all to light. It is all so exciting."
Lord Coe, winner of two Olympic golds, added: "Athletes' careers are based on timing and I hope that this milestone moment excites and inspires them to compete at the highest level in 2012."Lord Coe, winner of two Olympic golds, added: "Athletes' careers are based on timing and I hope that this milestone moment excites and inspires them to compete at the highest level in 2012."


Comments



Comments

You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.
 
  • id="comment_107279630">
 
  • id="comment_107279735">
For the many who think that the police live the life of riley, I can be certain that I won't be going to the Olympics. Why? Because all leave and days off are currently cancelled for that period of time - whilst they plan the duties. Therefore little point in me trying to get a ticket when I won't even know whether I can get the time off till later in the year. This comment is awaiting moderation. href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/moderation.shtml#appear" target="_blank">Explain.
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=107279630&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=107279735&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment
title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this
  • id="comment_107279599">
  • id="comment_107279698">
    • maybe i will go to see the games Yes, I think the games will be a sellout, but will they all be legitimate purchasers? A tout can apply for tickets nearly a year in advance for important events then hold onto them until the prices rise.There should be a system whereby tickets are not given until at the gate, so that you have to provide proof of purchase with the credit/debit card that purchased the tickets at each venue
    href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=107279599&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=107279698&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment
    title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this
       
  • class="dna-comment" id="comment_107279679"> class="comments_user_info secondary_body"> 5. Mouse_Nightshirt
    • So if it's determined by random ballot, what happens if I got a ticket but my best friends or partner didn't. I wouldn't want to go by myself, what would I do with the ticket if I wasn't allowed to sell it?
    Report this comment
    Link to this
    • My heart bleeds for you 33rdpara. Don't you think there are thousands of people out there with job commitments and other restraints to stop them from attending. You maybe surprised the Police are not the only people who have a job which effects their social life and get paid less..
    Report this comment
    Link to this
    • Ticket prices are out way above those who can afford to pay, This will go down of those games when ordinary people was priced out of main events, it will be interesting to see how many companies buy en block, with empty seats, just like Wimbledon, All Seats should have been done by ballot, with Londoners who have paid through extra rates having a Special one. It really now a rich mans olimpics
    Report this comment
    Link to this
     
    Comments 5 of 7
     
    Add your commentAdd your comment
    You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.