More Australian fans than ever will be able to experience the live action of the Commonwealth Games, with a record 1.2 million tickets available for the 2006 Melbourne event.

Under the Games ticket ballot, 63 per cent of all tickets will be available to the home crowd - the most offered by a Commonwealth Games host nation.

They will also be the lowest cost tickets ever offered, with half of all tickets costing a maximum of $60.

Australians can apply for the tickets from Sunday, with a ballot published in newspapers around the country. Online applications can also be made from Sunday.

Melbourne 2006 chief executive John Harnden said most tickets to all sessions across 31 competition venues would be available to the public in the ballot.

"This ticket ballot gives Australians the best opportunity to access seats to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and is the fairest and most equitable way to ensure everyone can experience live Games action," he said.

More than half the tickets for the most popular events - the opening and closing ceremonies, swimming finals and athletics - are available through the ballot.

The most expensive tickets are to the opening ceremony, with the best seats costing $590, but other events cost from $15.

Family packages are also available from $44 for a family of four.

Eleven events will be free, including walks, triathlons, some cycling events and the marathon.

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