2012 Olympics tickets will go on sale in 2011, and they’re sure to be a hot item, particularly for popular sports such as gymnastics, swimming, and track and field. At the same time, tickets for the Paralympic Games will also be made available to the public. A whopping 9.2 million tickets for the 2012 Games will be available, with 7.7 million for the main Olympics and 1.5 million for the Paralympics.

While tickets are intended to remain on sale until the beginning of each event, there is a very good chance of a complete sellout before the games even begin. This is due to the immense popularity of the Olympics in general, as well as the unique hype created by the 2012 London Olympics. The city will be the first to host the modern Olympics three times, the first having been in 1908 and the second in 1948. Its innovative and environmentally friendly Olympic Park will be in the limelight throughout the games, and there are several historic locales hosting events, including Wembley Stadium and the All England Club at Wimbledon. With the combination of old and new, it’s expected that there will be a sellout for 2012 Olympics tickets before the end of 2011.

If you’re planning to buy 2012 Olympics tickets, the first step is to decide which sporting events you’d like to attend. Many individual events will run simultaneous, so it’s important to check the games schedules before buying your tickets. In addition, certain major events, including gymnastics, soccer, and track, will sell out especially quickly, so it’s best to find out about lotteries or on-sale dates for the London Olympics tickets you want most well in advance. Travelers interested in sightseeing as well as attending the games can check for events held near attractions such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, or the Horse Guards Parade and then look into tickets for the events held at or near these historic locations.

London Map

There are a few unique benefits of purchasing tickets for the 2012 Olympics. Travelers can take advantage for travel on the city’s public transportation for each ticket, though this option is available within the city of London only; this benefit was included to encourage visitors to use the rail and road transport systems to London’s various Olympic venues.

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford the most popular events, or if you are happy to see anything that’s available, it’s still possible to see some of the best things the games have to offer. Certain events, including the triathlon, marathon, and road cycling events, will not require spectators to purchase London Olympics tickets, as they take place along the beautiful city streets, and visitors can simply line the route to cheer on the athletes and enjoy the intensity of the competition. In addition, giant screens at Live Sites around the United Kingdom ensure that you can take part in the games even if you can't get tickets for the 2012 Olympics in your favorite sport.