<p>Sports fans around the world got their first chance to secure seats for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on Wednesday, with organizers promising something rare in modern Olympic history: genuine affordability.&nbsp;</p> <p>Registration opened at 7am Pacific time for a lottery system that offers at least one million tickets priced at just $28 USD, or around $42 AUD. That's probably less than what you'd pay for a movie and popcorn these days.</p> <p>The announcement marks a deliberate pivot from recent sporting events, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">particularly the 2026 FIFA World Cup</a>, where ticket prices sparked widespread criticism.</p> <p>LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman was apparently trying to send a clear message when he told reporters on Tuesday that "these Games belong to everyone" and "have to be affordable and inclusive."&nbsp;</p> <p>The question now is whether this really represents a new era of accessible Olympic experiences or just clever marketing.</p> <h2>How to Buy 2028 Olympics Tickets Online: LA28 Lottery Registration and Dates</h2> <p>Here's the thing about this ticket draw: registering doesn't mean you're buying anything just yet.</p> <p>Fans have until March 18 to enter their details into a random lottery that will assign time slots for actual ticket purchases in April. Think of it like getting a queue number at the deli counter, except the stakes are considerably higher and the wait is measured in months.</p> <p>If selected, buyers will receive an email notification with their designated shopping window between April 9 and April 19.</p> <p>The earlier your slot, the better your chances of securing seats before popular events sell out. Organizers emphasized there's no advantage to registering early, which should ease the panic of anyone reading this article several days after publication.</p> <p>Each account can purchase up to 12 Olympic tickets, and organisers promise that around one-third of the roughly 14 million available tickets will cost less than $100 USD (approximately $150 AUD).</p> <p>That pricing structure seems designed to ensure at least some seats remain within reach of ordinary families, though premium tickets and hospitality packages will undoubtedly command much steeper prices.</p> <h2>How Much Are LA 2028 Olympics Tickets? Prices Start at $28</h2> <p>Los Angeles residents and those living in Oklahoma City, where softball and canoeing events will take place, get something of a head start.</p> <p>A special early purchase window opens for locals from April 2 to April 6, several days before the general lottery winners get their chance. It's a nod to the communities actually hosting these Games, though critics might argue it creates the very inequality organizers claim to be avoiding.</p> <p>LA28 chief Allison Katz-Mayfield defended the lottery approach as "the fairest way to ensure that the broadest number of people can get access to tickets." She stressed that timing your registration doesn't matter: "whether you're the first person in or the last person in, you have the same opportunity." That's somewhat reassuring for anyone who can't drop everything to register at 7am on a Wednesday morning.</p> <p>The $28 starting price actually undercuts the 2024 Paris Olympics, where tickets began at $27.95 USD. But Paris set a high bar for accessibility and atmosphere, drawing massive crowds to free viewing areas along the Seine and creating genuine moments of public celebration.</p> <p>LA organizers seem determined to match that energy while adding their own Hollywood flair.</p> <h2>When Do 2028 Olympics Tickets Go On Sale? April 2026 Purchase Windows</h2> <p>This will mark the first Olympics held in the United States since Atlanta 1996, and Los Angeles is leaning heavily on nostalgia.</p> <p>The city previously hosted in 1932 and 1984, and officials plan to use existing infrastructure rather than building new venues. That approach should keep costs down and environmental impact lower than recent Games that required massive construction projects.</p> <p>The ceremonial lighting of the Olympic cauldron at LA Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday featured hundreds of current and former Olympians and Paralympians.</p> <p>The Coliseum, which hosted events in both previous LA Games, will co-host the 2028 opening ceremony along with track and field competitions. It's the kind of historical continuity that organizers hope will resonate with both American audiences and international visitors.</p> <p>For Australians considering the journey, that $42 AUD starting price looks remarkably affordable, at least until you factor in flights and accommodation during peak northern summer.</p> <p>The Games run from July 14 to July 30, which means traveling during Australian winter when escape to California sunshine holds particular appeal.</p> <p>The real test will come in April when those lottery winners actually try to purchase tickets. Will there genuinely be enough affordable seats to go around, or will the $28 tickets vanish instantly while premium packages remain abundant?</p> <p>The answer will reveal whether LA28's promises of inclusivity were sincere or simply aspirational rhetoric. Either way, registration is now open, and millions of sports fans worldwide are apparently willing to take that chance.</p>