2028 LA Olympics Ticket Lottery is Open Right Now

The system operates in four phases. First, you register at tickets.la28.org with your name, email, and billing ZIP code through March 18. Registration is free and doesn’t commit you to anything. You only register once to be entered into all future draws.

Between March 31 and April 7, LA28 randomly assigns time slots to registered users. If selected, you get a specific window during Drop 1 (April 9-19) to purchase up to 12 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don’t buy the maximum during your slot, you’re automatically entered into subsequent draws.

Residents in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties in California, plus Oklahoma, Canadian, and Cleveland counties in Oklahoma (which host softball and canoe slalom events), get early access April 2-6 if their billing ZIP matches their credit card.

This locals-first approach ensures that people who live near Olympic venues get first crack at attending events in their own communities. The presale runs before general public access begins April 9.

Tickets start at $28 with one million available at this price, and over a third under $100. LA28 is emphasizing affordability with these entry-level options across multiple sports and sessions.

Specific pricing for premium events, finals, and ceremonies hasn’t been announced yet but will be revealed when Drop 1 opens in April. Based on past Olympics, opening and closing ceremonies will run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars for premium seating, while finals in popular sports like basketball, gymnastics, swimming, and track and field will command higher prices than preliminary rounds.

LA28’s 14 million total tickets represent the most ever offered for an Olympics, surpassing Paris 2024’s 12 million. The massive volume means more fans will have opportunities to attend across the nearly three-week event.

However, competition for tickets will be intense. London 2012 received approximately 20 million applications for 6.6 million available tickets, a roughly 3:1 ratio. LA28 could see even higher registration numbers given the US domestic market advantage and free registration with no purchase commitment.

With the Los Angeles metro area alone containing 13+ million residents and this being the first Summer Olympics in the US since Atlanta 1996, estimates suggest 15-25 million people could register for the lottery. That means roughly 2-3 registrants competing for every available ticket, making early registration and the locals presale particularly valuable.

Opening and closing ceremonies are the most sought-after tickets due to their one-time-only nature and symbolic value. Team USA events in basketball, gymnastics, swimming, and track and field generate the highest demand, with finals in these sports typically requiring early drops or locals presale access.

Preliminary rounds for these same sports offer more accessible entry points in terms of availability and pricing. Events at iconic venues like the LA Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium will likely see higher demand than outlying venues.

LA28 will use mobile-only tickets through an official app with QR codes that activate 24 hours before events. This eliminates paper tickets and ties each ticket to the purchaser’s name for security.

If plans change, LA28 will offer an official ticket exchange platform closer to the games. Based on Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 official resale platforms, fans can list unused tickets for other fans to purchase. The mobile app also allows ticket transfers to friends or family.

Events spread across Los Angeles, Long Beach, Carson, Inglewood, Pasadena, Arcadia, Pomona, San Clemente, and Oklahoma City for softball and canoe slalom. The 2028 Olympics run July 14-30, with Paralympics August 15-27.

Track and field happens in the first week at the LA Memorial Coliseum, while swimming moves to SoFi Stadium in the second week. Attending multiple events means considering venue locations and travel time between sites.

Pricing details for all events drop in April 2026 when Drop 1 opens. Paralympic tickets go on sale in 2027 with separate registration. If you’re not selected for Drop 1, you’re automatically entered into subsequent drops.

LA28 will release tickets in multiple waves throughout 2026 and 2027. The official ticket exchange platform for fans needing to transfer tickets will be announced closer to the games.