Tickets for the Games are due to go on sale in 2011 and between now and then, Ticketmaster will work with London 2012 on its ongoing ticketing strategy and planning before assisting in the set-up and running of the ticket sales process.

 

 

Chris Townsend, the commercial director of London 2012, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Ticketmaster onboard - this is a crucial appointment, following a rigorous tendering process.

 

"When tickets go on sale in 2011, we’ll need a reliable solution and a team of world-class ticketing experts in place, ensuring we manage demand and deliver a first class customer service.

 

"Ticketmaster has a wealth of experience in delivering ticketing for major sporting events – including Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cups and the World Twenty20.”

 

Details of how to purchase tickets and the price will be announced nearer the time.

 

But London 2012 has already promised to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Games and for tickets to be priced fairly.

 

They hope to match the success of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester when organisers sold 90 per cent of the tickets and avoid the problems of last year's Olympics in Beijing when there were complaints about half-empty stadiums because too many tickets had been given to corporate sponsors.

 

Each ticket sold for London 2012 will also include free travel on public transport in London for the day of the event, to encourage spectators to use the transport system and take in the festivities throughout the city.

 

Ticketmaster, who will also be a Tier Three London 2012 sponsor, were founded in Arizonia in 1976 and were always the hot favouritest to be chosen to handle ticket distribution for London 2012.

 

Chris Edmonds, the managing director of Ticketmaster UK, said “Ticketmaster UK is immensely proud to have been selected as the official ticketing partner for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

 

"After a comprehensive bidding process this achievement is a hugely exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our employees to work on an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in their home country.

 

"We will work closely with LOCOG to provide a ticketing solution engineered to match the needs of the greatest sporting event in the world.”