Tickets for Obama Presidential Center Museum Open to Public on May 6

The $850 million center in Jackson Park will feature a museum, forum building, library, and athletic center.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:36pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring the iconic architecture of the Obama Presidential Center museum building repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the energy and significance of this new cultural landmark.The vibrant design of the Obama Presidential Center museum building reflects the center's mission to celebrate the legacy of the first Black U.S. president.Chicago Today

The Obama Foundation announced that tickets for the new Obama Presidential Center museum in Chicago will go on sale to the general public on May 6, 2026. The museum, which is part of the larger 19-acre presidential center campus, is set to open on June 19, 2026 after several delays. Ticket prices have been set at $30 for adults and $23 for children, with free admission for Illinois residents on Tuesdays.

Why it matters

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center marks a significant milestone in preserving the legacy of the first Black U.S. president. The center is expected to become a major cultural and educational destination in Chicago, drawing visitors from around the world to learn about Obama's presidency and impact.

The details

The Obama Presidential Center will feature a museum building, a forum building with an auditorium and programming spaces, a Chicago Public Library branch, and a 45,000-square-foot athletic center. The majority of the center's amenities will be free and open to the public, with the museum offering timed-entry tickets. In addition to the museum exhibits, the campus will include a playground and landscaped park connecting to the nearby Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

  • Tickets for the museum will go on sale to the general public on May 6, 2026.
  • The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to officially open on June 19, 2026.
  • The center's opening ceremony will be livestreamed on June 18, 2026.

The players

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, whose presidency and legacy the Obama Presidential Center aims to commemorate.

Valerie Jarrett

The CEO of the Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the development and operations of the Obama Presidential Center.

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What they’re saying

“When visitors look up at the Obama Presidential Center's museum building, they'll see three simple powerful words: You are America.”

— Barack Obama, Former President

“The Museum allows visitors to explore the history and impact of the Obama presidency, while the broader campus in Jackson Park creates a place where the community can gather, learn, and imagine what's possible next.”

— Valerie Jarrett, CEO, Obama Foundation

What’s next

The Obama Foundation will announce additional ticket sales for future dates beyond the initial June 19 to November 30 period on their website at obama.org.

The takeaway

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center represents a significant milestone in preserving the legacy of the first Black U.S. president. The center's museum, programming, and public spaces are expected to become a major cultural and educational destination in Chicago, drawing visitors from around the world to learn about Obama's presidency and impact.