8,750 lucky fans set to attend memorial service for Jackson

Los Angeles: The more than 1.6 million fans who registered for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service were to get word later on Sunday on whether they will be among the lucky few to get tickets for the ceremony.

Fans had to register for free at the Staples Center website on Saturday for the random drawing of only 8,750 names.

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Each person selected was to receive two tickets and be notified by e-mail after 1800 GMT on Sunday, according to a Staples Center news release.

The tickets will admit 11,000 people to the Staples Center plus 6,500 in the Nokia Theatre overflow section next door.

Before the drawing, officials of AEG, the owner and operator of the Staples Center, will 'scrub' the entries to eliminate duplicates and any suspected of being made by automated systems or 'go-bots', Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said.

Winners will receive a unique code and instructions on how to pick up their tickets today at an off-site distribution centre. When they pick up their tickets, a wristband will be placed on their wrists.

Fans must have both the ticket and the wristband to enter Staples Center on Tuesday. Wristbands that have been ripped, taped or tampered with will be voided.

Sunshine said those steps are being taken to prevent ticket-scalping.

City officials are preparing for huge crowds. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says as many as 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to people without tickets.

City Councilwoman Jan Perry strongly urged people to stay home and watch the memorial on television. The ceremony will not be shown on Staples' giant outdoor TV screen and there will be no funeral procession through the city.

If you had the chance, would you attend this service? Why does this matter so much to so many people? Have they lost touch with reality? Is Michael Jackson being exploited? Tell us below.

Definitely would be a pleasure to attend the ceremony, since I have been a great fan of MJ and always will be. And what better way to pay tribute to a great person, song writer, performer, etc. the list goes on.
Loraine D'souza
Sharjah,U.A.E.
Posted: July 06, 2009, 16:23

what a tragic death, even that is getting sold here.god bless him. RIP
Anonymous
dubai,uae
Posted: July 06, 2009, 15:59

Of course! This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and tribute to the greatest singer, songwriter.
Vincent
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 10:37