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Deseret Today
By the People, for the People
LA's 2028 Olympics Tickets Spark Sticker Shock, But Utah 2034 Aims for Affordability
Tickets for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles are seeing high prices, but Utah's 2034 Winter Games plan to offer many $34 tickets.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:05pm
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The high cost of tickets for the 2028 LA Olympics sparks debate over accessibility, as organizers of the 2034 Utah Winter Games seek a balance between revenue and affordability.Deseret TodayTickets for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are causing sticker shock, with some single seats costing over $5,000. However, organizers for the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah are aiming to keep many tickets affordable, with 34,000 priced at just $34 each.
Why it matters
The high ticket prices for the LA Olympics raise concerns about accessibility and affordability, especially for families. In contrast, the Utah 2034 organizers are focused on making the Winter Games more inclusive through their 'barbell strategy' of very low-cost and very high-end tickets.
The details
Tickets for the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 LA Olympics range from $329 to $5,519 per seat, with the lower-cost options already sold out in the initial presale. In contrast, Utah's 2034 Winter Games plan to offer 34,000 tickets at just $34 each, with higher-end tickets also available to help cover costs. Organizers say this 'barbell strategy' is key to hosting the Games without state or local taxpayer funding.
- Tickets for the 2028 LA Olympics went on sale in March 2026.
- The 2034 Utah Winter Olympics are expected to take place in 2034.
The players
Alberto Belli
An LA-based director whose credits include a Disney Christmas movie.
Daniel Kunka
A screenwriter who was able to purchase $28 tickets for the Women's Soccer Semifinal at the 2028 LA Olympics.
Fraser Bullock
The president and executive chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Utah.
What they’re saying
“For 'OK' seats. Guess I'm watching from the couch.”
— Alberto Belli, LA-based director
“I got Olympic tickets. The process was pretty painless but will say the cheap tix for the presale are going quick. Still scored a $28 ticket for Women's Soccer Semifinal. And considerably more for Women's Gymnastics Preliminary but gotta say was pretty pumped.”
— Daniel Kunka, Screenwriter
“We call it a 'barbell strategy,' where we have many very inexpensive tickets beginning at $34 to allow broad access and we have many very expensive tickets that help pay for the Games.”
— Fraser Bullock, President and Executive Chair, 2034 Utah Winter Olympics
What’s next
The LA28 organizing committee will be sending emails on Tuesday to those who registered, informing them when they can purchase tickets or if their names will be in the draw for the next round of sales.
The takeaway
The high ticket prices for the 2028 LA Olympics highlight the challenge of balancing affordability and revenue generation for major sporting events. In contrast, the Utah 2034 organizers are prioritizing accessibility by offering a significant number of low-cost tickets, demonstrating a commitment to making the Winter Games more inclusive for the local community.
