The countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles kicked off in grand style on January 13, 2026, as the LA Memorial Coliseum—an iconic venue that previously hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984—became the stage for a ceremonial lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The event brought together a remarkable assembly of nearly 300 Olympians and Paralympians, spanning generations of athletic achievement, to mark the beginning of a new chapter for sports fans worldwide: the launch of the much-anticipated ticket registration for LA28.
With the cauldron’s flame burning bright under the California sun, LA28 organizers wasted no time in ramping up excitement. “The Olympics is the greatest peacetime gathering in the world. We are lucky enough we get to bring it here to Los Angeles and experience that,” declared Janet Evans, LA28 Chief Athlete Officer and gold medal-winning swimmer, on the sidelines of the ceremony. The sense of unity and anticipation was palpable, with Paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill reflecting, “I didn’t feel the physical warmth, but my heart fluttered a little bit. The whole world is coming to LA28.”
For fans eager to be part of this once-in-a-generation spectacle, the opportunity to secure seats began in earnest on January 14, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. PT. The registration window runs through March 18, offering hopeful spectators the chance to enter a random lottery. Winners will be assigned specific time slots to purchase tickets, a process designed to keep things fair—and, let’s face it, just a little bit nerve-wracking. As LA28 Chair and President Casey Wasserman told Reuters, “Ticket registration is a major milestone on the road to LA28.”
But what about the all-important ticket prices? In a move sure to please fans from all walks of life, LA28 announced that a staggering one million tickets would be available at a base price of $28. And this isn’t just a token gesture—about a third of all Olympic tickets will be priced under $100, making the Games more accessible than ever before. “Every sport starts at $28, and that’s not just lip service to a couple of tickets in the corner of some venue, but a meaningful number of tickets,” emphasized Allison Katz-Mayfield, LA28’s senior vice president of Games delivery revenue.
For those living in Southern California—specifically, residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura counties—there’s an added bonus. These locals will qualify for an exclusive presale window in April 2026, but there’s a catch: you must enter the initial lottery to be eligible for this early access. The presale window runs from April 2 to April 6, 2026, and is timed just before the general Drop 1 ticket sale, which will take place from April 9 to April 19. Email notifications for successful entrants will be sent out between March 31 and April 7, so keep an eye on that inbox!
And the local perks don’t stop at California’s borders. For the first time ever, Oklahoma County residents will also enjoy early access to register, a nod to Oklahoma City’s debut as an Olympic host for both canoe slalom and softball. These events will bring the Olympic spirit to the heartland, with canoe slalom set for the OKC Whitewater Center at River Sport from July 14 to July 22, and softball lighting up the OKC Softball Park from July 23 to July 29. Winning the ticket lottery will give lucky fans the chance to witness Olympic history unfold in their own backyard.
For those outside these select counties, patience is key. General public ticket sales will open later in 2026, after the initial lottery and local presales have concluded. And if you’re already planning ahead for the Paralympic Games, mark your calendars: tickets for those events will become available in 2027.
But don’t be fooled—securing a seat at the Games won’t be as easy as grabbing a lottery scratcher at your corner store. The process is designed to be fair, but it’s not without its challenges. Miss your registration window, lose your internet connection, or show up late for your assigned slot, and you could be out of luck. And with millions of fans from around the globe vying for a spot, Olympic tickets may prove to be as elusive as front-row seats at a sold-out concert.
The ceremonial cauldron lighting wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a rallying cry for the city and the world. LA28’s organizers have billed these Games as “athlete-centered” and accessible to all, a vision underscored by the overwhelming response from the community. “In just the last year, I’ve seen firsthand how Angelenos come together, how they rise to meet every challenge, and that spirit is unmatched,” said Hoover at the Coliseum event, referencing the wildfires that swept through LA neighborhoods the previous year. He added, “That’s 150,000 supporters saying I want to be a part of this, I want to be a part of history, I want to be a part of LA28. We know fans around the world are feeling the same way and are hungry for their chance to get into the stands to experience this once in a lifetime, once in a generation, event.”
Indeed, the 2028 Summer Olympics are shaping up to be a truly global celebration, with Los Angeles set to welcome millions of spectators from every corner of the planet. The city’s storied Olympic past, the promise of innovative venues, and the commitment to accessibility are all fueling the mounting excitement. And with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for July 14, 2028, at the LA Memorial Coliseum, the countdown is officially on.
So, whether you’re a lifelong Angeleno, an Oklahoma City sports fan, or an Olympic enthusiast from afar, the race for LA28 tickets has begun. Register, cross your fingers, and get ready for the possibility of witnessing history in the making. The Olympic flame is burning, and the world is watching as Los Angeles prepares to host the Games of a lifetime.
