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4w ago

LA28 Opens Locals-Only Olympic Ticket Presale as Glitches and Fees Draw Fire

Buyer frustrations test LA28’s promise of a smooth rollout.

 The countdown clock shows 889 days to the opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 
The LA28 Olympic cauldron is lit during a ceremonial lighting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2026, ahead of the launch of ticket registration for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The LA28 Olympic cauldron is lit during a ceremonial lighting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2026, ahead of the launch of ticket registration for the 2028 Olympic Games.
LA28 skywriting appears over the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in promotion of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles on March 14, 2026. 

Overview

  • LA28 began its first ticket window for residents of five Southern California counties and Oklahoma City on Thursday, using a random draw that assigns two-day shopping periods notified about 48 hours in advance.
  • Some buyers reported error messages, access denied screens, and warnings about VPNs, and LA28 later said the problems were limited and resolved with tips posted about a hidden checkout button and support available during the 48-hour window.
  • Service fees around 24% of the ticket price stunned early purchasers, with one $2,100 ticket carrying about a $505 fee, though the site displays all-in pricing before checkout.
  • Prices span from $28 entry seats to premium options, with organizers saying about half of tickets will exceed $200 and roughly 5% will top $1,000, and early buyers noted that opening ceremony options can run into the thousands.
  • The broader public sale runs April 9–19 for fans worldwide, with purchase caps in place, section-only buys that assign exact seats later, more drops planned, and a verified resale marketplace slated for 2027 as over 5 million people seek access.