Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 (LA28) announced on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, that the initial registration window for its ticket lottery is now open. Prospective fans can submit applications ahead of an April sales launch, with a modest $28 entry fee designed to broaden access while covering baseline operational costs.
Why a Lottery?
Hosting over 10 million visitors across the four‑year Olympic cycle presents a logistical challenge unlike any the city has faced. LA28 has therefore adopted a lottery‑based allocation system, the same method used in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, to distribute tickets more equitably and curb the advantage traditionally held by corporate sponsors and high‑frequency buyers LA28.
Fairness and Secondary‑Market Controls
After the draw, tickets will be sold on a “first‑come, first‑served” basis to those selected, separating selection from purchase and aiming to reduce speculative buying and price inflation on secondary markets.
How Registration Works
- Opening Date: 14 January 2026; the portal will close after a limited period.
- Eligibility: U.S. residents and international fans 18 years or older. A valid email and a payment method for the $28 fee are required.
- Draw Timeline: An independent auditing firm will run a randomized algorithm after registration closes; winners will be notified by email in early March.
- Purchase Window: Selected applicants receive a four‑week window starting early April to finalize purchases at the base price of $28 for standard seats.
Pricing Strategy and Economic Impact
The $28 entry fee reflects LA28’s commitment to affordability for families and young fans. While this covers only basic seating, a tiered structure will offer mid‑range seats at $150 and premium locations—such as the opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium—up to $1,200 LA28. Ticket‑sale revenue is expected to contribute substantially to the Games’ $6.8 billion budget, funding venue upgrades, transportation projects and legacy programs.
Economists estimate that ticket‑holding spectators will generate roughly $2 billion in ancillary spending on hotels, restaurants and local transit, while a regulated secondary market on the committee’s authorized platform will help preserve price integrity.
Accessibility and Paralympic Integration
In line with the International Paralympic Committee’s inclusion mandate, a dedicated portion of tickets will be allocated through a parallel lottery for Paralympic events. Accommodations include wheelchair‑accessible seating, audio‑description services and sign‑language interpreters. Discounted rates are also earmarked for athletes, volunteers and low‑income residents.
Technological Safeguards
The ticketing platform incorporates multi‑factor authentication, blockchain‑based ticket verification and real‑time monitoring for abnormal purchase patterns. An independent cybersecurity firm will audit the system before the April launch, and a 24/7 help desk will address technical or logistical concerns.
Anticipated Demand and Market Dynamics
Data from Paris 2024 show lottery applications can exceed available tickets by a factor of ten for marquee events. Early traffic spikes on the LA28 portal suggest a similar surge, prompting a temporary increase in server capacity.
Analysts caution that while the lottery improves fairness, it cannot fully eliminate secondary‑market arbitrage. LA28 will enforce strict resale rules, including price‑cap limits and mandatory buyer‑identity verification for any ticket transferred through authorized channels.
What This Means for Fans and the City
The lottery’s launch marks a transition from planning to execution for the 2028 Games. Fans gain a transparent pathway to attend historic moments—from the torch relay to the 4 × 100 metre relay—while the projected visitor influx offers a catalyst for economic revitalization in neighborhoods surrounding new or renovated venues.
Emphasizing affordability and accessibility aligns with a broader shift in Olympic governance toward inclusivity, potentially setting a precedent for future host cities.
Conclusion
With registration now open, LA28’s randomized allocation system, tiered pricing and robust tech safeguards aim to balance overwhelming demand with fairness. As the draw approaches and the April purchase window looms, the world watches Los Angeles prepare to welcome athletes, spectators and dreamers to what promises to be a landmark edition of the modern Olympics.
