Record interest for LA28 as over 5 million register for Olympic tickets

LOS ANGELES — More than 5 million people from 194 countries have registered for a chance to purchase tickets for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, organizers announced Sunday.

The milestone comes as the initial registration window remains open through March 18. LA28 officials noted that global interest surged following the conclusion of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

Registration is free and required to enter the ticket lottery. Fans must sign up by the March 18 deadline to be eligible for the first sales window, which is scheduled to run from April 9 to April 19.

Individual ticket prices will start at $28, though rates will vary depending on the sport and the venue. Premium hospitality packages are also currently available for purchase.

The 2028 Games will mark the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympics, following previous stints in 1932 and 1984.

Organizers are emphasizing a sustainable approach by using only existing infrastructure rather than building new permanent venues. Key sites include SoFi Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum.

The projected $7.15 billion budget for the Games is expected to be entirely privately funded.

The 2028 program will feature five sports that are either new or returning to the Olympic stage: cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, and baseball/softball.

The surge in demand for Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) tickets underscores the event’s immense draw, yet the more significant development lies in the underlying organizational framework. LA28 is positioning itself as a blueprint for "fiscally responsible" hosting, representing a sharp pivot from the debt-heavy models that have historically burdened host cities. By eschewing new permanent construction in favor of existing infrastructure, organizers are pursuing a "no-build" strategy designed to insulate taxpayers from fiscal risk.

The projected $7.15 billion budget is sourced entirely from private capital—including corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) contributions—marking a transition toward a market-driven approach. This framework effectively rebrands the Olympic Games as a massive private enterprise rather than a public works project. While this reduces the burden on the public sector, it simultaneously raises questions regarding the extent of corporate influence over the event’s execution.

The strategic inclusion of flag football and cricket reflects a sophisticated commercial calculus. Flag football is a direct play for the lucrative U.S. market and the global footprint of the NFL, while cricket represents an overt effort to capture a massive audience across South Asia, specifically in India and Pakistan. These decisions suggest that the Olympic program is evolving to prioritize commercial viability over traditional sporting heritage. Ultimately, LA28 serves as a high-stakes test of whether an economic superpower can host a global mega-event that is both sustainable and profitable.

The LA28 Olympics are poised to have a direct and lasting impact on Southern California’s expansive Vietnamese-American community, especially within the heart of Orange County. For the small businesses that anchor Little Saigon—ranging from iconic phở restaurants and coffee shops to boutique travel services—the arrival of millions of international visitors offers a significant economic windfall. Yet, this excitement is tempered by local concerns over intensified traffic and the potential for a temporary surge in the cost of living and rental prices. Ultimately, the Games serve as a milestone for the community to demonstrate its deep integration and civic dedication through volunteerism, celebrating the pride they feel for the place they now call home.