Quick tips you should read to help you get the tickets you want
Do you reside in the UK or in a designated European country?
If the answer is yes then you can apply on this website.
If the answer is no then you can only apply through your local NOC. Contact details can be found at Ticket eligibility.
Are you aged 16 or over?
If the answer is yes then you can apply on this website.
Is the answer is no then you will need to ask a parent or guardian who is over 16 to apply for tickets for you.
Do you have a Visa card?
If the answer is yes then you can apply on this website.
If the answer is no then you will need a Visa card.
To obtain one please visit the Visa website.
This is an application process. You are not guaranteed to get any/all of the tickets you apply for.
Maximum one application per email address and Visa card.
Payment will be taken between 10 May and 10 June 2011. Please ensure you have sufficient funds available on your Visa card at this time.
Tickets are sold on a session basis. Each session has a ticket limit which will be clearly shown.
You are applying for tickets in a price category rather than for a specific seat in the venue.
Increase your chances of gaining tickets by selecting higher and/or lower price categories.
Special prices for young people and seniors are available, look out for the blue flag symbol.
Medals will be won in some sessions, look out for the medal symbol.
London will be significantly busier than usual. So plan carefully allowing two to three hours travel time between London venues.
Nearly there now! You will need a ticket account to apply for tickets.
If you already have a ticketing account. You are ready to go! Click on the Apply now button to log in and start your ticket application.
If you do not have a ticketing account. You will need an account to apply for tickets.
It only takes a couple of minutes so create your ticketing account now, then start your ticket application.
• Ticket application process
• Ticket eligibility
• Step by step guide to applying online
• How to apply
• Payment and charges
• Terms and conditions of ticket purchase
Ticket application process
What tickets can you apply for?
The application phase for Olympic Games tickets opens on Tuesday 15 March 2011 and closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 April 2011. This is your best chance to gain tickets to the greatest sporting event in the world, so don't miss out!
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 with us: sign up now.
When can you apply for tickets?
Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games will be sold via an application process between Tuesday 15 March 2011 and 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 April 2011.
Who can apply for tickets?
Tickets are only available on this website 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.
How can you apply for tickets?
We have tried to make the ticket application process as simple as possible.
However, with so many sports, venues and days to consider, we 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.
If you are aged 16 or over and a resident of the UK or a designated European country you can apply for tickets on this website, or UK residents can apply using the paper application form 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. 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). Please read Ticket eligibility for further information.
Don't be fooled by bogus websites and organisations claiming to sell tickets to the Games. To check whether a website is an official sales channel use our website checker.
Online
You can apply on this website 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.
We recommend you read our quick guide to applying for tickets online on the Step by step guide page.
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. 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 name and address. If you submit a paper application form using a Visa card as your preferred method of payment, we recommend it is sent to London 2012 via a secure postal method to enable you to track and trace your application, such as Special Delivery.
Ticket eligibility
Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games are now available to fans worldwide through various sales channels depending on your country of residence.
Applications for tickets to the Paralympic Games will open on 9 September 2011 through similar processes and channels.
Residents of the UK
Tickets are only available on this website for people who are aged 16 and over and are a resident of the UK or a designated European country. 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 which is 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.
Step by step guide to applying online
Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be sold via an application process. For sessions where demand for tickets exceeds supply, London 2012 will use an automated and random selection process ('ballot') to ensure the fairest possible distribution and allocation of tickets on a session-by-session basis.
Please read this step by step guide before you start the application process.
Please note that applications for tickets to the Olympic Games are open now, and applications for tickets to the Paralympic Games open on 9 September 2011.
1. Create an account
You will need a ticketing account before you can apply for tickets. Registering is a quick and easy process which will only take a few minutes to complete. Create an account now. You can search events and prices without signing in or creating an account; however, an account is required when you are ready to create a ticket application. You may only submit one application per email address and Visa card so please consider your Games experience carefully.
2. Search
Start your search to decide which sports, in which venues, and on which dates, you would like to attend. You can choose from one or more of the drop-down menus.
3. Select sessions
Select the session or sessions which you would like to apply for. There is often more than one session taking place within a day for a sport. You can only select a maximum of 20 sessions per application so please consider your selections carefully. Some sessions will include a medal match/round and medal ceremony. Look out for this icon when you are searching sessions:
4. Special prices
Special prices are available for young people aged 16 and under at 27 July 2012, who will ‘pay their age’ for a ticket. You will be asked to specify the age of each young person at 27 July 2012 in order to calculate the cost of their ticket. For example, if your child is aged 12 at 27 July 2012 the cost of their ticket will be £12.
Special prices are also available for seniors aged 60 and over at 27 July 2012, who will pay £16 for their ticket.
Special prices for young people and seniors are available in more than 220 sessions, Look out for this icon when you are searching sessions:
5. Select number and type of tickets
Select the number of tickets you would like to apply for and the type of tickets you would like. There are ticket limits for each session which will be clearly shown.
6. Increase your chances
For some sessions you will be able to choose higher and/or lower price categories to increase your chances of obtaining tickets to the session, in the event that your preferred price category is not available. If you indicate that you will accept a higher or lower price, a higher price will be considered your second option. If tickets aren't available at a higher price, then you may be allocated tickets at a lower price if they are available.
7. Online verification
When you select your first session, you will be required to complete an online verification to enable us to protect our site from automated programmes. You will only need to do this once during each application window, when you select the first session you would like to apply for.
8. Summary and merchandise
Continue to search for additional sessions, if required, or proceed to a summary of your ticket application. You can also select items of merchandise to add to your application at this stage.
9. Delivery and payment
Confirm your delivery details and enter your Visa card details. We are proud to accept only Visa (debit, credit or prepaid products) on this website. If you do not have a Visa card, the easiest way to obtain one is to contact your bank who will be able to help you select and apply for a Visa product which best suits your needs. Alternatively, a Visa prepaid product (including a Virtual Visa card) is a quick and easy way to start paying with Visa. Please visit the Visa website for more information.
10. Submit
Once you are happy with your application and no further changes are required, press the Submit button.
11. Process payment
We will verify your Visa card number is accurate and, once this process is complete, a ticket application reference number will be provided. Write this reference number down and keep it safe - you will need this number if you have to contact Ticketing Customer Services, for example. No charges to your Visa card will be applied at this time.
12. Withdraw application
If you decide you no longer want your application to be processed or you need to add or remove sessions, you can withdraw your application (between 15 March and 11.59pm on 26 April 2011 only) and, if required, create a new application and re-submit. To withdraw your application, please go to Manage your profile. Caution!Once you withdraw your application it will no longer be valid so please think carefully before you do so.
Don't be fooled by bogus websites and organisations claiming to sell tickets to the Games. To check whether a website is an official sales channel use our website checker.
Payment and charges
How to pay for tickets
London 2012 accepts the following forms of payment for tickets:
• Visa (debit, credit or prepaid)
• Cheque
• Postal orders
• Cash (only at ticket box offices in 2012)
Pay by Visa
In recognition of Visa's longstanding support of the Games, the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are proud to accept only Visa (debit, credit or prepaid) for online ticket applications.
If you choose to pay by Visa, you will only be charged for the tickets you have been allocated. You are responsible for ensuring that you have funds available for the full amount of your ticket application and that your Visa card will not expire before the end of the processing period (between Tuesday 10 May 2011 and Friday 10 June 2011). Please note that, your application may be withdrawn if your Visa card is declined or rejected.
You can also pay by cheque or postal order. We will only put them in our bank if you successful get tickets.
Pay by cash
Cash will only be accepted at ticket box offices during the Games in 2012. Please note that all payments must be made in pounds sterling (£).
Delivery charges
A charge of £6, which includes packing and secure delivery, will apply to all delivery addresses in the UK. A charge of £12, which includes packing and secure delivery, will apply to all delivery addresses within designated European countries and UK Overseas Territories. All tickets will be delivered in summer 2012. Address for delivery must be same address for card.