Olympics organisers launch official ticket exchange from tomorrow

With just over 200 days to go until the 2012 summer Olympics, organisers Locog are ready for the launch of their official ticket resale system.

As the ticket sale for this year's Olympics took place by ballot, in many cases more than a year in advance of the Games, organisers accept that not everyone will be able to attend the events for which they hold tickets. From tomorrow, holders of unwanted tickets will be able to resell directly through the Locog website at www.tickets.london2012.com.

Ticket holders and would-be purchasers are reminded, however, that auction sites such as eBay and Gumtree is regarded as an illegal activity, and the penalty for reselling in this way was increased last year to discourage black marketeers. Police will be working with organisers and auction sites to enforce resale rules.

So what should you do if you have unwanted tickets, or if you missed out in the initial ballot and would like to get hold of some?

If you have tickets to sell:

1. Login to your account at www.tickets.london2012.com to access your ticket account from tomorrow (January 6).

2. You'll see an option to sell any tickets you don't want.

3. If your tickets are sold, you'll receive the full face value back. If not, there will be further opportunities to resell later in the year.

If you would like to purchase resold tickets:

1. Login to or create an account at www.tickets.london2012.com

2. You will be able to search for available tickets. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so be quick!

3. If you don't get the tickets you want this time, there will be future opportunities. Police remind hopeful patrons not to be tempted to use unauthorised sites. Be particularly careful of sites which purport to be legitimate overseas resellers - see this page for a list of known bogus sites.

Once physical tickets become available later in the year, it will be possible to give or sell them at face-value to family and friends, but holders must be able to contact the original purchaser in case of query on the day of the event.

Organisers are keen to organise a legitimate resale period in order to avoid empty seats in the Olympic venues; at the same time, Locog stresses that it is unlikely that huge numbers of tickets will become available in this way.

Some events, such as the marathon and cycle road racing will not require a ticket to view, although numbers may be limited for safety. Gymnastics fans can also get a preview of Team GB at the Olympics qualifying event down at the O2 next week, from 10-18 January. Tickets, priced £10, are on sale now.

Image: martin_vmorris