July 3, 2009 Staples Center hosting Jackson memorial service Play video

(NECN/ABC) - A quarter of a million Michael Jackson fans are expected in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, when a memorial for the King of Pop will be held at the Staples Center.

There will be 11,000 free tickets distributed to the public.

"We have a creative team working on what the service would be. It's going to be reverential, it's not a show, it's a service," AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips said.

Police investigators, working with the DEA, have discovered a number of prescription drugs at the rented home where Jackson died, including a powerful sedative normally given to hospital patients.

ABC News has also learned the King of Pop was taking a daily dose of the painkillers oxycontin and demerol.

Still, claims that Jackson was in a weakened condition are contradicted by new video of a dress rehearsal nearly 36 hours before his death. Performing, he appears strong and ready for his 50-show tour.

"Michael looks fantastic, full of energy full of life," Debbie Allen said. "He's clearly building up to that amazing performance that we were all so anticipating and he looks great."

Meanwhile, Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, told a Los Angeles TV station that she wants custody of their two children, ages 11 and 12.

But her attorney said she had not reached a final decision about whether to battle her ex-husband's mother in court.

"In its most crass form, did she sell the kids to Michael? That's really

The Tuesday memorial, which will require 25,000 police officers, is already being criticized by some Los Angeles city officials in a state on the brink of bankruptcy.

ABC's TJ Winick reports.

Performance video courtesy of AEG Live.