Tickets have gone on sale for the Sydney Gay Games 2002, which runs from October 25 to 9 November. Some 120,000 tickets for events including the spectacular Opening Ceremony to the new Australian opera Lindy to the finals of the Basketball competition are now on sale on Sydney 2002's website.

Organisers say some 12,500 people will participate in 31 sporting events held from 2 to 9 November in over 40 venues across Sydney, including some used for the 2000 Olympic games.

The Gay Games are held every four years, and Sydney 2002 will be the first time the event has ever been held in the southern hemisphere. The event is expected to bring tens of thousands of additional visitors to NSW and has been forecast to generate more than A$100 million for the State economy, according to a press release issued by the organisers.

Registration for the games closes on 31 July.