Ticket sales for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games opened worldwide on Thursday, following a local pre-sale that organisers say generated record demand. The organising committee is under pressure to demonstrate that the Games can remain financially sustainable without placing a burden on taxpayers.
Record demand in the first sales phase
The organising committee LA28 reported that more tickets were sold during the first week than at the same stage of any previous Olympic Games. All tickets in the initial phase were offered to residents of the Los Angeles and Oklahoma City areas.
Despite strong demand, some buyers expressed concerns about pricing, additional fees and limited availability. Hundreds of thousands of tickets priced at $28, the cheapest in the history of the modern Olympic Games, sold out almost immediately.
“The success of the local pre-sale speaks for itself,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “We are excited by the level of interest and enthusiasm for Games tickets.”
Global ticket release until April 19
The worldwide ticket release, known as “Drop 1”, will run until 19 April for those selected through a ballot system who received specific purchase time slots.
Tickets are available for a range of events, including the opening and closing ceremonies.
Organisers acknowledged that some fans experienced “price shock”. After the widely publicised promotion of the $28 tickets, many buyers discovered that the cheapest seats had already sold out or that certain events were priced significantly higher.
Allison Katz-Mayfield told Reuters that such demand was expected, noting that the most affordable tickets typically sell first.
“We wanted to make sure local residents had access to the most affordable tickets and that is exactly what we saw happen during the pre-sale,” she said, adding that additional low-cost tickets will be released in later phases.
Ticket pricing and financial expectations
LA28 stated that more than one million $28 tickets will be made available overall.
Nearly half of all tickets are priced below $200, while more than three quarters, including finals events, cost under $400. Approximately five per cent of tickets exceed $1,000.
The organising committee is seeking to prove that the Games can be organised without relying on public funding, as taxpayers could otherwise be required to cover potential cost overruns.
LA28 has said that its budget, exceeding $7 billion, will be financed primarily through ticket sales, sponsorship agreements and hospitality services. Katz-Mayfield noted that strong ticket sales, combined with sponsorship and hospitality revenues, indicate positive financial momentum for the event.
Organisers also warned fans not to purchase tickets from unofficial resale platforms before the official resale programme launches in 2027, as such tickets may be invalid or fraudulent.
Source: Reuters