Rio de Janeiro, Jan 16 (IANS): The first batch of tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be made available to Brazilian residents in March, organisers said.

The announcement came Thursday as the local organising committee launched the Games' ticketing programme with a portal for fans to register online, reports Xinhua.

A second instalment of tickets for Brazilian residents will open in July. For non-residents of Brazil, fans will be able to buy tickets from an authorised reseller selected by the national Olympic committee in their country of residence.

"Fans will experience this journey like an athlete, preparing and going through stages until the glory of arriving at the Games," Rio 2016 ticketing director Donovan Ferreti said in a statement.

"With so many attractions, it is necessary to get organised early to ensure you don't miss the best of the event."

More than half of the tickets will be available for 70 reais (about $27) and the cheapest will be 40 reais.

Some half-price tickets will be available to senior citizens, students and people with disabilities belonging to Brazil.