Circle the date. The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games starts now for fans. LA28 says ticket registration opens at 7 a.m. PST on January 14, 2026, kicks on through March 18, and uses a random lottery to assign purchase time slots. That means it pays to be prepared, not panicked.

Here is the twist that locals will love: a special presale from April 2–6, 2026 is set aside for host communities in Southern California and Oklahoma. If your billing ZIP code matches the approved list, you get a head start before the first general sale hits April 9–19, 2026.

Prices begin at $28, with a full one million tickets at that entry price. About one-third of all seats will come in under $100, and buyers can pick up to 12 tickets per person. Paralympic tickets will follow in 2027, giving fans two clean waves to plan and budget.

“These Games belong to everyone,” LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover added, “Our host city communities here in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to be a part of a local presale.” The message is simple: wide access, early clarity, and a fair shot.

How the LA28 ticket lottery works

It starts at LA28.org. Register once, and you are entered into the lottery that assigns purchase time slots for the Olympic ticket drops. Your registration will also cover future draws and the Paralympics window when it opens in 2027. There is no advantage to signing up in the first minute versus the last — the draw is random — but missing the March 18 deadline shuts you out.

Ticket prices aim to welcome new fans and reward planners. Single tickets start at $28, with 1 million seats at that price point. Around a third of all tickets will be under $100. There is a cap of 12 tickets per person per purchase slot, which encourages more households to get in.

In total, LA28 plans 14 million Olympic tickets. That is a huge inventory, but the biggest sessions will still move fast. Plan your wish list before your window opens.

“A $28 entry price and a lottery? That feels like a real shot for everyday fans.”

Who gets the locals presale — and how it works

Here is the “surprise edge” for locals. The April 2–6 presale is open to residents of these California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino. It is also open in Oklahoma to residents of Oklahoma, Canadian, and Cleveland counties, reflecting Oklahoma City’s role as a host site.

To qualify, your billing ZIP code must match one of those counties. This is a smart way to give host communities first access, while keeping the system simple. If you are local, check that your billing details are accurate and up to date before April.

“LA locals and OKC fans getting a head start makes sense — they’re opening their cities to the world.”

What you can see and where: LA28 venues and schedule scale

LA28 promises scale. More than 11,000 athletes will compete across 51 sports. Across the combined Olympic and Paralympic program, there are 55+ sports, 800+ events, and 3,000+ hours of competition scheduled. That is a full summer of moments, from sun-up to late night.

Key venues will spread the action across Southern California, with a few events in Oklahoma City. Highlights include:

• SoFi Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum for the opening celebrations and key sessions.
• Intuit Dome, the region’s new arena, hosting indoor events.
• Honda Center in Anaheim and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for marquee matches.
• Long Beach, expected to stage the second-highest number of Olympic events along the coast.
• Oklahoma City, set to host softball and canoe slalom.

This citywide (and cross-state) map keeps travel times in mind and celebrates existing venues. It also spreads demand, which can help more fans find tickets that fit their budget and schedule.

Buying smart: pricing, access, and official channels

Ticketing is powered by AXS/Eventim, established platforms that can handle massive demand. Hospitality packages will be offered by On Location starting in 2026 for fans who want bundled seating, lounges, and extras.

The headline price point is clear: $28 to start, and a healthy chunk under $100. That does not mean every final will be cheap, but it does mean there will be choice across days, venues, and sports. With 14 million Olympic tickets in circulation, patience and flexibility will be rewarded.

Five simple tips to give yourself the best shot

• Register now at LA28.org, and double-check your email and billing ZIP code before your draw.
• Know your dates: locals presale April 2–6; general sale April 9–19; registration runs through March 18.
• Be flexible on sports, dates, and sessions. Early rounds and morning events often have more seats.
• Have payment ready and keep your group small if possible. The cap is 12 tickets, but smaller requests can be easier to fill.
• Use official channels only (AXS/Eventim or On Location hospitality). Avoid resellers until official guidance is clear.

“I’m eyeing Long Beach and OKC sessions — great value, great vibes, easier access.”

Why this matters: access, fairness, and a festival feel

LA28’s plan balances three big goals. First, access: the $28 entry and one-third under $100 welcome families and first-timers. Second, fairness: a random lottery reduces bots and first-come, first-served stampedes. Third, a true festival: with events spread from beaches to downtown to Oklahoma City, more fans can find their moment.

Wasserman’s line — “These Games belong to everyone” — is not just a slogan. It shows up in the pricing ladder, in the size of the ticket pool, and in the locals-first window. Hoover’s nod to LA and OKC communities backs that up with a clear, simple rule: if your billing ZIP is local, you get a head start.

What’s next on the timeline

Expect more ticket waves after April’s first drop, plus detailed sport-by-sport schedules as the Games draw closer. Hospitality sales will scale up through 2026. If you plan to attend the Paralympic Games, keep an eye out in 2027 when those tickets go live under the same umbrella.

For now, the action steps are easy: register at LA28.org, mark the key windows, and build your wish list. The Olympic calendar is big. Your plan can be simple.

When the world comes to Los Angeles in 2028, the stands will tell a story — families, first-timers, and die-hards all in the mix. With this roadmap, there is room for you, too.