HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — A few lucky fans were celebrating Sunday after getting word that they were headed to Tuesday’s memorial service for music icon Michael Jackson.
More than 1.6 million people registered for the online drawing, which awarded two tickets to just 8,750 entrants. The breakdown includes 11,000 tickets for inside the Staples Center itself, with another 6,500 available for viewing on the big screens at the adjacent Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
“I’m in shock that it has happened,” Deka Motanya, a lucky ticket winner from San Francisco told The Associated Press. “It’s surreal.”
Officials have kept a tight lip on the Los Angeles memorial, which will begin at 10 a.m. PT. They’ve also utilized a wristband system in an effort to get the golden tickets into the hands of Jackson’s biggest fans. Still, there were memorial ticket listings on eBay shortly after winners were notified with prices at $20,000.
While just a lucky few have tickets to the service, some are estimating that crowds in the area could still reach upwards of 750,000 people. However, organizers have said that there will be no funeral procession and the ceremony will not be shown on any of the jumbo screens located outside the Los Angeles venue. On Sunday, officials warned that people hoping to still get in are in for a rude awakening as the streets around the venue will be closed off to anyone without a ticket.
“You’ll be standing in the hot sun on a city street with a lot of other people … but not within earshot of Staples,” warned Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Jackson’s memorial service will be shown live on five television networks.
