LA28 sold more tickets to domestic spectators than any previous Olympic Games, as it launched worldwide.
Published April 9, 2026
Ticket sales for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have begun worldwide after a record first week of local pre-sales, organizers said, highlighting early strong demand for the Games, which must rely heavily on private revenue.
According to LA28, more tickets were sold in the first week than any previous opening week for any Olympic Games, and all early tickets went to residents of the Los Angeles and Oklahoma City areas, despite complaints about prices, fees and availability.
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Organizers said hundreds of thousands of $28 tickets, the lowest-priced Olympic tickets in modern history, were snapped up by local buyers, but some buyers complained about the high costs, fees and lack of availability.
“The success of our local pre-sales speaks for itself,” LA28 CEO Reynold Huber said in a statement. “We are excited by the level of interest and enthusiasm for Olympic tickets.”
The global sales launch, known as “Drop 1,” will run until April 19th with fans selected through a lottery and allocated time slot. Tickets can be purchased for the entire Olympic event, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
LA28 faces criticism over Olympic ticket prices
Organizers acknowledged that some fans experienced sticker shock after advertising $28 entry-level tickets, only to find that many of the cheapest seats had already gone quickly or prices for some events were much higher.
Allison Katz-Mayfield, LA28’s senior vice president of game streaming revenue, told Reuters the result was not unexpected as the cheapest tickets are always likely to move the fastest.
“We wanted to make sure locals had access to the most affordable tickets, and we saw that happen through this pre-sale,” she said, adding that even lower-priced inventory will be released in future sales phases.
According to LA28, more than 1 million $28 tickets will eventually be made available to the public. Almost half of all Olympic tickets are under $200, and more than three-quarters, including the finals, are under $400. Organizers say only about 5% of tickets cost more than $1,000.
Katzmayfield said demand exceeded expectations from the registration stage through the first sales period. She added that once global sales begin, LA28 will have approximately one-third of tickets currently on sale remaining priced at $200 or less.
Organizing committees are under pressure to show they can run a fiscally responsible Games without burdening taxpayers, who could be hit hard by cost overruns. LA28 said its operating capital of more than $7 billion will be primarily funded by ticket sales, sponsorships and hospitality.
Katz-Mayfield said strong ticket sales and sponsorship and entertainment revenue bode well for the tournament’s financial health.
LA28 also warned fans against purchasing from unofficial resale platforms before the verified resale program launches in 2027, stating that tickets sold elsewhere may be speculative or invalid.
