2012 tickets: Ready, set, go
THE ticket application process for the London 2012 Olympic Games finally opens today, and they are sure to be hot property so City PM has put together an easy guide designed to make the process as easy as possible.
1. it’s NOT FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
While the application process opens today, it lasts for six weeks (until 11:59pm on 26 April), and only then will tickets be allocated. It is not a case of first come, first served; if events are oversubscribed then all those who apply will go into a ballot after the closing date. All payments will be taken after 10 May and successful applicants will be notified by 24 June.
2. PLAN APPLICATIONS CAREFULLY
Customers can apply for a maximum of 20 sessions, but be warned: only apply for events you will definitely intend to go to and can afford to pay for. Once applications have been registered you are committed to paying, assuming you are allocated a ticket. For this reason, setting a budget is also worth considering. Some 2.5m tickets will cost less than £20, while 90 per cent will be under £100.
3. TWO WAYS TO APPLY
The quickest way to apply for tickets is by visiting the official website (www.tickets.london2012.com), where you will need a valid email address and a Visa debit or credit card. Applications can also be made by post using forms available from branches of Lloyds TSB, with payments made by Visa card, cheque or postal order.
4. CORPORATE HOSPITALITY
The only official channels for travel and hospitality are Thomas Cook, Prestige Ticketing and Jet Set Sports – apart from football at Wembley, which is being sold by the stadium operators themselves – so beware of fraudsters claiming to offer tickets.
KEY DATES | LONDON 2012
Athletics Usain Bolt defends 100m title on 5 August, when Chrisitine Ohuruogu goes for 400m gold. Other home hopefuls Jessica Ennis (heptathlon) and Phillips Idowu (triple jump) take centre stage on 4 and 9 Aug
Cycling Team sprint and pursuit events on 3 and 4 Aug; Sir Chris Hoy in men’s sprint on 6 Aug and Victoria Pendleton in keirin on 7 Aug
Swimming Rebecca Adlington will go for 400m and 800m freestyle titles on 29 July and 3 Aug Diving Prodigy Tom Daley’s big days at the Aquatics Centre are 30 July (10m synchro platform) and 11 Aug (individual 10m platform)
Football Wembley hosts men’s and women’s finals on 9 and 11 Aug
Tennis Andy Murray will be hoping to be in the men’s singles final on 5 Aug
Rowing GB duo Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter go for lightweight dohble sculls on 4 Aug
Gymnastics Beth Tweddle in uneven bars 6 Aug