LA28 Olympics Tickets Sell Out Quickly at Premium Prices

Early buyers report thousands spent on tickets, even before fees, as demand outpaces supply for 2028 Summer Games

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and other Olympic venues in a fractured, multi-perspective style, using bold colors and sharp, overlapping shapes to convey the complex and exclusive nature of ticket access for the 2028 Summer Games.The high demand and soaring prices for LA28 Olympics tickets threaten to price out many average fans, creating a two-tiered experience at the Games.Los Angeles Today

The first round of ticket sales for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been marked by high demand and sticker shock, with many popular events like swimming, gymnastics, and basketball costing well into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars per ticket. While the organizers promised $28 tickets, those appear to be limited, leaving many would-be spectators priced out of attending the most anticipated events.

Why it matters

The high prices and limited availability of LA28 Olympics tickets highlights the growing commercialization of the Games, putting attendance out of reach for many average sports fans. This could impact the overall atmosphere and community engagement around the event, as well as raise questions about equity and accessibility for the Los Angeles community hosting the Olympics.

The details

In the initial 'locals' presale, hundreds of thousands of $28 tickets were sold, but tens of thousands more are still available. However, for many of the most popular events like swimming, gymnastics, track and field, and basketball, tickets are selling for well into the triple and even quadruple digits. The most expensive tickets, for the opening and closing ceremonies, are going for around $4,700 per person, compared to just under $3,000 for the same events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On top of the high base prices, there is also a 24% service fee that LA28 says is 'industry standard'.

  • The first general ticket drop for the LA28 Olympics started on April 6, 2026 and runs through April 19, 2026.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 14-28, 2028.
  • Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale in 2027.

The players

LA28

The event organizer for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

On Location

The official hospitality provider for the 2028 Olympic Games, offering premium packages that include reserved seating, venue lounge access, food, and other perks.

Dave Guenther

The president of RoadTrips.com, who advised that it's less important to get to all the major events than it is to take in the spirit of the Games and the host city.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'LA28 tickets go up to the thousands (of dollars) in select cases for the most premium seats at a handful of the most anticipated events.'”

— LA28 Spokesperson

“'Our ticketing program will include one million tickets priced at $28, our lowest price point, and those tickets will be available for every sport, but not every session.'”

— LA28 Spokesperson

“'What fans are seeing in the ticketing portal is what is available within Drop One. We expect all sports to continue to be on sale across a variety of price points in future drops. … There will be an additional ticket drop later this year, and various opportunities to purchase tickets between now and 2028.'”

— LA28 Spokesperson

“'Our packages can be as bespoke and as grand as our customers want, including private suites, transportation, and personal itineraries, so the sky's the limit.'”

— Ed Horne, Chief Operating Officer, On Location

What’s next

The LA28 organizers have stated that there will be an additional ticket drop later this year, as well as various opportunities to purchase tickets between now and 2028. Fans who were not selected in the initial general ticket drop will automatically be entered into future draws.

The takeaway

The high prices and limited availability of LA28 Olympics tickets reflect the growing commercialization of the Games, putting attendance out of reach for many average sports fans. This could impact the overall atmosphere and community engagement around the event, as well as raise questions about equity and accessibility for the Los Angeles community hosting the Olympics.