The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have faced criticism over ticket pricing, with residents expressing frustration over the high costs despite organizers' promises of affordability. Ticket prices for the opening ceremony ranged from $329 to $5,519, while some events like women’s soccer semifinals were available for as low as $28. However, many popular events, including tennis, artistic gymnastics, and men’s basketball, were either sold out or priced out of reach for many locals.
Andie Pangan, a Los Angeles resident, was shocked to find that tickets for events she wanted, such as tennis and climbing, were either unavailable or priced over $1,000. She had hoped to see Filipina tennis star Alex Eala but was unable to secure tickets. Similarly, Kelly Burson purchased swimming tickets for $1,230 each and decathlon finals tickets for $1,600 each, far exceeding expectations.
Yolanda Davidson, a lifelong Inglewood resident, expressed frustration, stating, 'We shouldn’t just have to bear all of the burden of the Olympics; we should be able to participate.' Lorraine Ali, a news and culture critic, noted that by Monday, only a handful of events were available for less than $150, with the women’s basketball bronze-medal game starting at $407.17 per ticket.
Organizers had promoted the tickets as 'affordable,' with a presale lottery system intended to ensure fair access. However, many residents felt misled, with some calling the pricing 'total incompetence or a total lie.' The first general public sale is scheduled for April.