Los Angeles Residents React to Olympic Ticket Prices
Los Angeles is buzzing with excitement as the city prepares to host the Olympics, with many viewing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” This enthusiasm, however, has been marred by residents expressing their frustration over high ticket prices, even with two years still to go.
Aastha Jani, who moved to L.A. in 2019 and was looking forward to the Games, shared her disappointment. “I’m really sad that I might not make it,” she told the California Post. She had hoped to at least snag a ticket for less popular events but found the prices disheartening.
“I thought it was great that tickets were available for locals,” she continued, pointing out that it felt like her tax contributions were finally getting recognition. Jani joked about the chaos surrounding ticket sales, comparing it to the frenzy over Taylor Swift’s concert tickets.
Jani’s attempt to purchase tickets during the first release at 4 PM on Monday was unsuccessful. “I looked for badminton, cricket, and gymnastics tickets. I figured badminton and cricket wouldn’t be too tough, but even the qualifying tickets were around $200,” she noted, ultimately deciding against buying any.
Another local recounted spending over $6,000 on tickets for various events, including tennis and soccer finals, expressing shock at the exorbitant prices and fees involved. “I couldn’t believe how high the costs were, and it’s all for two years from now,” he remarked, adding an exasperated note that nobody could predict the future.
Ticket prices currently vary significantly, with some starting at about $100 but climbing steeply toward more than $1,000. The most expensive tickets, like those for the Closing Ceremony, reached nearly $5,000.
For popular competitions such as gymnastics, swimming, and track and field, even qualifying round tickets tend to be around $700. For instance, tickets for key final events like the track finals are listed at over $700, while swimming tickets can go for upwards of $1,100.
According to LA28, upcoming ticket drops will provide more options, but the resale market won’t start until 2027, and not every time slot will have tickets available.
“It feels very unfair,” Jani said of the allocation process, wishing she could have better access to affordable tickets. “We’ve decided to wait until 2028 to see if resale prices go down, but I’m not optimistic,” she added, humorously hoping she’d be in a better financial situation by then.
Some locals questioned the point of a presale if prices could fluctuate so wildly. Mayde Orangi, eager to buy wrestling tickets, noted, “It seems like the Olympics are just as manipulative as resellers, hiking up prices in response to demand.” She pointed out that the intent to provide fair access is lost if the base prices are set so high.
While people like Orangi and Jani chose not to buy, others did take the plunge. Patrick Hare, for instance, mentioned spending over $1,500 on tickets, reasoning it was worth it as a unique chance. “When else will the Olympics be in Los Angeles?” he asked, relieved he wouldn’t have to worry about accommodation.
Though the prices are steep, Hare justified the expense as comparable to concert tickets he’s purchased. “But honestly, lower prices would have been nice,” he conceded, acknowledging the local disruption the Games will bring.
Amidst the general sticker shock, early ticket buyers have noticed a 24% spike in service fees. Meanwhile, LA28 announced it would offer a limited pre-sale of a million tickets at just $28 each—a rare budget-friendly option.
Max Link, another hopeful buyer, conveyed frustration over not being able to access these cheaper tickets, suspecting it might be a marketing ploy. He ultimately bought track and field tickets at over $800, disappointed by what he felt was a lack of genuine effort to reach budget-conscious fans.
Link reflected on the potential exclusionary nature of the pricing. “I hope the spirit of the Olympics doesn’t keep fans in many countries out of this international celebration,” he said, underscoring a concern for fairness in access.
Ticket sales will continue, with general sales slated for April 9-19, 2026. The LA28 Games will take place from July 14 to July 30, 2028, across various venues in Southern California, including the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum.
