The road to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics officially began this week, as ticket registration opened to a wave of eager fans across the globe. With the Games set to ignite the City of Angels in just over two years, the launch of the ticket lottery has already generated a buzz rarely seen this far out from an Olympic spectacle. Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, marked the first opportunity for hopeful spectators to throw their hat in the ring for a chance at scoring seats to what organizers are touting as the biggest and most inclusive Games yet.
It’s not every day that Southern California gets to play host to the world, and the anticipation was palpable as the LA28 organizing committee flipped the switch at 7 a.m. PST. Early birds encountered a few hiccups—some digital congestion and brief wait times—but those issues were swiftly handled, according to Allison Katz-Mayfield, LA28’s Senior Vice President of Games Delivery Revenue. “The excitement around this morning was just so high,” Katz-Mayfield said, reflecting the feverish demand that greeted the opening moments of registration.
For fans, the process is straightforward but fair. Anyone, anywhere on the planet, can register for the ticket draw through the LA28 ticketing website. Registration is open until March 18, 2026, and, crucially, signing up early does not improve one’s odds—everyone stands an equal chance, no matter when they enter during the window. Once registered, hopefuls will be entered into a randomized draw. If selected, they’ll receive an email later this spring assigning them a specific time slot to purchase tickets. Miss your window or fail to check your inbox? Unfortunately, that means you might miss out, even if you did everything else right.
But there’s a twist for locals. Residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties—those with matching billing postal codes—are automatically entered into a special local presale, scheduled for April 2 through April 6, 2026. This gives homegrown fans a leg up, while also ensuring that the stands will be packed with the energy and spirit of Angelenos. Oklahoma City-area residents are also in luck, as they can register for first dibs on canoe slalom and softball events hosted in their region. However, even for these presales, registration does not guarantee a time slot; it simply offers a shot at being among the first to buy.
The inclusivity doesn’t end there. LA28 organizers have made affordability a central pillar of their ticketing strategy. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear about something else: access to these games belong to everyone,” declared Casey Wasserman, Chairman of LA 2028 and CEO of the Wasserman sports and entertainment agency. “These games have to be affordable and inclusive.” To that end, approximately one million tickets will be priced at just $28, with about a third of all tickets under $100—a move designed to open the Olympic experience to as many people as possible. “The reason why we have this process is because we want to give everyone the same opportunity to be eligible to purchase tickets,” explained Jacie Prieto Lopez, LA28 spokesperson. “For us accessibility and affordability is really important.”
It’s not just about the tickets, though. The launch event at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, was a star-studded affair, drawing more than 300 Olympic and Paralympic athletes—one of the largest such gatherings outside of competition. Legends like Apolo Ohno, Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, and Janet Evans mingled with fans and media, helping to stoke anticipation. Evans, a five-time gold medalist and now LA28’s Chief Athlete Officer, led the countdown to the ceremonial cauldron lighting. “With ticket registration opening tomorrow, the LA28 fan experience officially begins and believe me, this is just the start,” Evans said. She later added, “To come outside, stand in this incredible place, and light the cauldron with so many amazing athletes—all while celebrating the launch of LA28 ticket registration—was truly special.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics are shaping up to be historic on multiple fronts. This will be the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics, following memorable editions in 1932 and 1984. But it will be the city’s first time hosting the Paralympic Games, a milestone that organizers and athletes alike have hailed as a breakthrough for inclusivity. The Games themselves will run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, though some competitions, including baseball, basketball, hockey, and water polo, are slated to begin as early as July 12. More than 11,000 athletes from around the world are expected to compete across 51 sports, making these Olympics the largest in history by participant count. In another first, women are projected to outnumber men among the athletes, a reflection of the ongoing push for gender equality in global sport.
For those looking to make their Olympic experience even more memorable, LA28 is partnering with On Location to offer curated ticket-inclusive hospitality packages. Fans interested in these premium experiences must also register through the standard ticket draw, ensuring that even the most exclusive events remain open to a wide audience. Local organizations will receive free tickets to distribute within their communities, further broadening access and reinforcing the Games’ community focus.
As the registration period unfolds, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on their email and the official LA28 newsletter for updates on the process. Selected registrants will be notified by email between March 31 and April 7, 2026, and the first round of ticket purchasing opportunities will run from April 9 through April 19. Those not selected in the initial draw will automatically remain eligible for future rounds—so there’s no need to re-register or worry about missing out after just one attempt.
Of course, the Olympic flame is still a long way from being lit in Los Angeles, but the race for tickets has already begun in earnest. With organizers promising a blend of world-class competition, affordable access, and unforgettable fan experiences, the 2028 Games are shaping up to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for Southern California and the world. As Janet Evans put it, “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing the Games home.”
The countdown is on, the excitement is building, and for fans everywhere, the dream of witnessing Olympic history in Los Angeles just got a little closer.
