LA28 responds to backlash over $5,000 Olympic ticket prices

The Brief

The LA28 “Drop 1” global ticket sale launched Thursday at 10 a.m. PT, but no new inventory was added following the local California presale.
While organizers highlight $28 tickets and sessions under $200, users report that marquee events are largely restricted to premium seats exceeding $5,000.
A 24% service fee applies to all purchases, and officials warn that any tickets currently listed on third-party resale sites are unverified or speculative.

LOS ANGELES – The LA28 Summer Games opened ticket sales to the global public on Thursday amid a wave of criticism from Southern Californians and international fans over high prices and limited availability.

What we know

The global launch of “Drop 1” officially began at 10 a.m. PT on Thursday, April 9.

However, Allison Katz Mayfield, LA28 Senior VP of Revenue, confirmed that no new inventory was added for this global phase.

“The locals had the best access to the widest breadth of tickets,” Mayfield said in an interview with Good Day LA, noting that the hundreds of thousands of $28 tickets offered in the presale “went quickly.”

Currently, while LA28 claims 30% of remaining tickets are under $200, users report that marquee events—specifically the Opening and Closing Ceremonies—often show only premium seats costing upwards of $5,000.

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Organizers also confirmed a 24% service fee is added to tickets. While this fee is included in the “all-in” price shown during browsing, it covers infrastructure, payment processing, and customer service.

The Drop 1 window remains open until April 19, allowing selected participants to purchase up to 12 Olympic session tickets and 12 football tournament tickets.

Fans who were not selected for this initial draw are automatically entered into future ticket drops scheduled for later this year.

Additional ticket drops and registration opportunities will continue in the coming months, and registered participants will be eligible to purchase additional tickets to the Paralympic Games through the Paralympic Ticket Draw, beginning in 2027.

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Mayfield warned fans to avoid sites like StubHub for now.

“If you’re seeing tickets on resale platforms in 2026, they are not verified… they may be speculative,” she said.

What they’re saying

In response to criticism, LA28 said it is closely tracking fan feedback.

The organization reiterated that nearly 50% of all Olympic tickets are under $200. More than three-quarters of all Olympic tickets — which include finals — are under $400.

“If you want to sit in the absolute best seat at the highest demand event, those do go for over $1,000 for sure… but this isn’t your only chance to get those affordable tickets,” said Mayfield.

LA28 noted that just 5% of tickets, or prime seats to marquee events, cost more than $1,000.

Timeline

April 2026: Launch of “Drop 1” for globally registered fans (ends April 19).

Late 2026: Subsequent ticket draws and additional inventory drops.

2027: Launch of the official LA28 ticket resale program and Paralympic ticket draw.

July 14, 2028: Opening Ceremony at the 2028 Stadium in Inglewood.

What’s next

Fans who were not selected for this initial draw are automatically entered into future ticket drops scheduled for later this year.

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If fans don’t see their desired sports or sessions in this drop, more tickets may be available in future windows if they haven’t reached their Olympic ticket maximum.

Those interested in the Paralympic Games will need to wait until 2027 for their specific ticket draw.

What you can do

Check your email: If you registered for the draw, look for a time-slot notification and link to the ticketing platform.
Monitor the filters: Use the “available standard tickets” filter on the site to see real-time inventory and avoid sold-out sessions.
Wait for 2027 for Resale: Avoid purchasing tickets from third-party sites, as the only verified resale program will not launch until 2027.
Wait for the Paralympics: Fans seeking a “family-friendly price point” are encouraged to wait for the Paralympic draw in 2027.
Explore “Discovery” Sports: If gymnastics or swimming are sold out or too expensive, organizers suggest looking into less familiar sports where inventory is higher and prices are lower.
Avoid Unverified Resellers: Do not purchase from non-partner platforms. Official resale via Ticketmaster and SI Tickets will not launch until 2027.

The Source

The information in this report is sourced directly from official LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizers, including an interview with Alison Katz Mayfield, LA28’s Senior Vice President of Games Delivery Revenue.

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