By Chalien Dantes 

Fans dreaming of experiencing the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles may be pleasantly surprised by the price tag. 

Organisers have announced that at least one million tickets will be available for just $28. Interest registration opens next month, giving fans the chance to enter a random ticket draw covering every Olympic sport. From January 14, those who sign up will be placed into the system, and selected applicants will receive a time slot in April to buy tickets.

The news arrives at a time when sporting ticket prices are under heavy scrutiny, especially with rising costs tied to the 2026 football World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. For that tournament, group stage tickets are set to cost up to three times more than they did in Qatar in 2022, while the cheapest seat for the final comes with a staggering price of £3,119. England’s opening match against Croatia next June carries a minimum price of £198, while Scotland fans will pay at least £134 to see their team face Haiti.

By contrast, LA28 organisers say every sport at the Los Angeles Olympics will include tickets priced at $28, and around one third of all tickets will cost less than $100. For comparison, entry-level tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympics began at 24 euros.

The random draw system, according to LA28 officials, is designed to give as many people as possible a fair shot at attending, without anyone gaining an edge over others. Registration remains open until March 18, and there is no benefit to signing up early. Fans can enter the draw without making any payment or purchase.

Meanwhile, ticket pricing for the upcoming World Cup continues to fuel debate. Football Supporters Europe has reacted strongly, urging FIFA to stop ticket sales altogether. Despite the backlash, FIFA revealed last week that more than five million ticket requests poured in within 24 hours from fans in over 200 countries.