There won’t be a spare seat in the velodrome during the London 2012 Olympic Games after organisers revealed the track cycling had sold out at the first attempt.

British cyclists won 12 medals on the track at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including seven of the nine available golds, leaving a spot in the 6,000 seater London velodrome, completed in February, as one of the hottest tickets in town.

And, after the six-week sale window closed on Tuesday night, Games organisers announced, across all sports, that more than 20 million tickets have been applied for – with just six million available – and more than 50 per cent of sessions, including all dates in the velodrome, will need a ballot to allocate seats.

“We are thrilled with the response right across the board, in all sports and all sessions,” said London 2012 chairman Seb Coe.

Rhythmic gymnastics, triathlon, modern pentathlon and equastrian (cross-country) have also sold out, while the opening ceremony is more than 10 times oversubscribed.

Coe added: “Certain events have seen massive demand – for example the opening ceremony, which is more than 10 times oversubscribed, so there will understandably be disappointment and we will find a way to go back to those people with other tickets.  

“What is most encouraging is that the majority of applications are for multiple tickets and for several sports, which shows that friends and family are planning to go to the Games together.”

Ticket applicants will find out whether they have been successful in June 2011, while unsold tickets are expected to go on sale next year.