LOS ANGELES - MICHAEL Jackson fans began to celebrate on Sunday after winning coveted tickets to the pop star's memorial service at Staples Center.

More than 1.6 million fans registered online for free in the random drawing of only 8,750 names. Each person selected will receive two tickets to Tuesday's memorial. The odds of getting a ticket were about 1 in 183.

'I'm in shock that it has happened,' said Deka Motanya, 27, of San Francisco. 'It's surreal.' She received an e-mail message notifying her, 'Congratulations, your application was successful.'

Soon after receiving his invitation, David Gobaud, 25, who studies computer science at Stanford University, was scrambling to find his way down to Los Angeles. 'It's amazing. It's quite a surprise. I didn't believe it was real in the beginning,' he said. 'It's Michael Jackson, one of the greatest musical stars of all time.'

The tickets will admit 11,000 people to the Staples Center plus 6,500 in the Nokia Theater overflow section next door. The streets around the stadium will be closed to prevent those without tickets from trying to attend, police said on Sunday.

Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell warned the ticketless to stay away: 'You'll be standing in the hot sun on a city street with a lot of other people ... but not within eyeshot of Staples.'

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

To prevent ticket scalping, 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.

The ceremony will not be shown on Staples' giant outdoor TV screen and there will be no funeral procession through the city.

The memorial service will be broadcast on five television networks, after NBC executives changed their minds on Sunday and decided to air the service live. NBC joins ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment. -- AP