Sherwin Bryce-Pease, Los Angeles

Details are slowly beginning to emerge for Michael Jackson's public memorial on Tuesday. Organisers of the event held a press conference to announce preliminary plans for what is expected to be a huge tribute and celebration of Jackson's life.

Fans who register online, will be randomly selected to each receive two of the 17 500 tickets that will be given away. But beyond that, organisers were tight-lipped about specifics. It was the moment everybody had been waiting for. Confirmation that Tuesday is the day the public will get to say good-bye to Michael Jackson.

Jackson Family Spokesperson, Ken Sunshine said: “Everything about the memorial has to do with accommodating as many fans as possible and when you hear the details and how the tickets are going to be distributed and how we're doing this it is all about the fans”. After a week of speculation, the  Los Angeles arena will host 11 000 fans, while a satellite theatre across the road will house an additional 6 500 fans.

Catering for Michael's fans around the world

The remaining tickets will be given away at the family's discretion. Organiser, Tim Leiweke said: “It is the family's wish to create a service and celebration that all of Michael's fans around the world can be part of. Thus the family has made arrangements to provide a worldwide pool feed from the services for every network for free”.

Los Angeles Acting Mayor, Jan Perry said: “I want to stress to those people who are coming or thinking about coming here to our city for this special event, that you might want to consider watching this from the comfort of your own home. Without a ticket, your very best option will be for viewing and experiencing the service commemorating of this extraordinary individual, from your home”. Access is limited to Tuesday's main event and the message from authorities is simple: if you don't have tickets or credentials, not only won't you be able to get into the main arenas, but you won't be able to get close.