Six weeks to apply for London 2012 tickets from March

The 8.8 million public tickets, priced from 2,012 pounds (USD 3,187) for the most expensive seats at the opening ceremony to less than 20 pounds for the cheapest events, will go on sale until April 26.

About two million people have registered an interest in the 26 Olympic sports and oversubscribed sessions will be allocated via a ballot.

The London Olympic organising committee (LOCOG) responsible for staging the Games, said applications will not be selected on a first come, first served basis.

Organisers are keen to avoid empty seats during the 650 sports sessions, and have priced 2.5 million tickets at 20 pounds or less and two thirds at less than 50 pounds.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world's greatest athletes going for gold in the UK, a chance for people to see their favourite sport and perhaps try a new one," LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

More details about the purchasing process and schedules will be disclosed next month.

Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale from September 9, with prices to be announced in May.