Tickets for Universiade events went on sale on July 11 at 31 outlets of China Merchants Bank (CMB) in Shenzhen, a press conference was told on July 11.

A man identified as Lin buys the first Universiade tickets yesterday.

Tickets are also available at 10 CMB outlets in Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Beijing and Shanghai.

They are also available at Shenzhen Airlines ticket offices, Shenzhen Youyi bookstores, Shenzhen Concert Hall and Shenzhen Poly Theater.

In addition, there is an online sales service at www.szpiao.com.cn.

People buying tickets must produce their ID cards. Tickets for popular sports, such as swimming and golf, are limited to two per person in an effort to stem ticket scalping.

Five tickets can be bought by one person for less popular events.

Tickets are priced at 30 yuan (US$4.5) to 300 yuan, depending on the popularity of the sports. No less than 1.8 million tickets would be available for residents, accounting for about 65 percent of the total number of tickets, said Wang Zhi, director of the Games tickets center.

The rest of the tickets would be allocated to athletes, sponsors and media staff, Wang said.

“Ticket prices are cheaper than the Beijing Olympics and Guangzhou Asian Games,” he said. Wang did not say whether tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies would be for sale. The ceremonies are among the highlights of the Games.

He said the Games organizing committee would have the final say.

Refunds would be paid if an event is canceled. The tickets are transferable.

From Aug. 7, five days before the opening, residents can buy the tickets at ticket offices near the 25 venues.

Detailed information is available at www.sz2011.org.

Athletes from 180 countries and regions are expected to compete for more than 300 gold medals in 21 sports during the Games.