Cue John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare.” You can register to buy tickets for the 2028 Olympics as of 7 a.m. Wednesday. The Los Angeles Organizing Committee has officially opened the digital doors for the 2028 Summer Games, initiating a comprehensive process designed to manage the anticipated global demand for seats.
Unlike a standard ticket release where fastest fingers win, this initial phase is a registration for a ticket draw. Fans are required to create an account and sign up between now and mid-March to be entered into a lottery system. This mechanism, now standard for events of this magnitude, aims to democratize access and prevent the automated bot attacks that frequently crash direct-sale platforms. Organizers have confirmed that those selected in the draw will be assigned specific time slots later in the year to purchase their tickets, with prices for some events starting as low as $28.
Los Angeles is set to make history as it hosts the Summer Games for a third time, building on the legacies of 1932 and 1984. The 2028 plan is distinct in its “no-build” philosophy, relying entirely on existing or temporary infrastructure to minimize the environmental and financial footprint. Key venues include the modernized SoFi Stadium, which will host swimming events, and the historic Memorial Coliseum, slated to become the first venue to host track and field competitions across three different Olympiads.
Despite the excitement, the Games face significant scrutiny from local critics and urban planners. A primary point of contention is the organizer’s ambitious “car-free” promise. With several projects in the “28 by ’28” transit expansion initiative facing construction delays and budget hurdles, skeptics argue that the city’s public transportation network may not be ready to handle the influx of millions of visitors without gridlocking the region. Additionally, opposition groups such as NOlympics LA continue to raise concerns regarding the potential for accelerated gentrification, arguing that the resource allocation for the Games draws attention and funding away from the city’s pressing housing and homelessness crises.
