HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Fans hoping to witness Michael Jackson’s public memorial better have luck on their side.
On Friday, organizers for the Staples Center event revealed that 17,500 free tickets will be available to randomly selected fans who register on the venue’s Web site. 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.
While the ceremony will not be shown on any of the jumbo screens located outside the Los Angeles venue, some are estimating that crowds in the area could still reach upwards of 750,000 people.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry is strongly urging people to stay home and watch live network television coverage of the memorial event.
Registration for the memorial tickets is open now and will conclude at 6 p.m. Saturday. Those chosen in the lottery will be offered two tickets. Officials will notify the lucky winners on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. with instructions on picking up their tickets and required wristbands.
With such a limited supply, organizers expressed hope that the tickets will find their way into the hands of Jackson’s true fans, rather than those hoping to capitalize on the singer’s death.
“This is a memorial. I’m hoping that people have dignity,” said Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, at Friday’s news conference.
“We’re doing our best to accommodate the worldwide demand,” he added. “For those who would try to take advantage of this, shame on them.”
