The Road to LA 2028 Starts Today: Secure Your Tickets!
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The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics may still be two years away, but for the global endurance community, the starting gun just fired. Today, January 14, 2026, registration officially opened worldwide for the LA28 Ticket Draw.
This is not a traditional "click and buy" storefront. Because of the unprecedented demand expected for the first U.S.-based Summer Games in 32 years, organizers are utilizing a randomized lottery system. For anyone hoping to stand on the Venice Beach Boardwalk or inside the historic Memorial Coliseum to witness the world’s elite marathoners, today is the most important date on your calendar.
The registration window is brief, closing on March 18, 2026. Entering the draw now is the only way to secure a "Time Slot" to actually purchase tickets when sales begin this spring.
The "Schedule Flip": Why the Marathon is Still the Grand Finale
In a major departure from recent Olympic history, the LA28 Games will feature a massive restructuring of the competition calendar. To accommodate the ambitious Opening Ceremony and venue transitions, Track and Field (Athletics) will move to the first week of the Games, starting July 15, 2028.
However, in a nod to the marathon's sacred status, these races will remain in their traditional "Closing Weekend" slots, serving as the ultimate test of human endurance before the Olympic flame is extinguished:
Women’s Marathon: Saturday, July 29, 2028
Men’s Marathon: Sunday, July 30, 2028 (Closing Ceremony Day)
By maintaining the Sunday slot, the Men’s Marathon medalists will once again receive their medals during the Closing Ceremony at the Coliseum—a tradition that places the marathon at the very heart of the Olympic spirit.
Course Spotlight: A Coastal Start at Venice Beach
For the first time in Los Angeles Olympic history, the marathon will not begin inside the main stadium. Organizers have confirmed that the Venice Beach Boardwalk will serve as the official starting point.
Runners will begin their 26.2-mile journey at "the heart of L.A. cool," racing past the iconic Muscle Beach and palm-lined shores before heading inland. While the full mile-by-mile route is still under development, the finish line is expected to bring runners to the LA Memorial Coliseum. This venue holds unparalleled historical weight: it is the only stadium in the world to host three different Olympic Games (1932, 1984, and 2028).
Pricing: The "$28 for LA28" Commitment
L.A. organizers are determined to avoid the "pricing out" of local fans. The "LA28 Ticket Draw" features a tiered pricing model designed for accessibility:
One million tickets will be priced at exactly $28.
Every single sport (including the marathon and track finals) will have a subset of tickets available at the $28 price point.
One-third of all tickets across the entire Games will be priced under $100.
The "Locals Advantage" and Oklahoma Connection
If you are a Southern California resident, you have a significant strategic advantage. Registrants with billing zip codes in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura counties are eligible for an exclusive early-access local presale.
This window runs from April 2–6, 2026, giving locals the first crack at the estimated 14 million total tickets before the general public "Drop 1" begins on April 9. (Note: Residents of Oklahoma, Canadian, and Cleveland counties in Oklahoma also qualify for this presale due to softball and canoe events being held there).
Essential Knowledge: The Visa Requirement
It is critical to note that while registration today is free, the actual purchase process has strict requirements. In recognition of a long-standing Olympic partnership, Visa is the Official Way to Pay for all LA28 ticket transactions.
When your assigned purchase window opens in April, you will be required to use a Visa card to finalize your order. If you do not currently have a Visa, marathoners are advised to secure a debit or prepaid Visa card now to ensure they aren't blocked at the checkout screen during their limited purchase window.
Your Olympic Ticket Checklist
To ensure you don’t miss out on the marathon or the high-stakes track heats, follow this step-by-step timeline:
Register by March 18: Visit Tickets.LA28.org to create your profile. This enters you into the randomized draw.
Watch Your Email (Late March): This is the notification period. You will receive an email stating whether you’ve been assigned a purchase time slot.
The Local Presale (April 2 – April 6): If you are in a host county, this is your primary chance to beat the global rush.
General Ticket Drop 1 (April 9 – April 19): This is the first major opportunity for the general public to buy individual session tickets.