How to start planning a trip to the 2028 Olympics in LA

It may seem like Paris just packed up its podiums yesterday, but the 2024 Summer Games are long gone and the 2028 Olympics are ready to go for gold.

In less than two years, sun-soaked Los Angeles will welcome thousands of elite athletes and millions of spectators, becoming the first United States city to host the Summer Olympics three times.

Officially known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, or LA28, the event will showcase over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports across 80-plus venues in LA and Oklahoma, totaling over 3,000 hours of programming, according to the official website.

If you’re considering a Southern California trip to catch the action, it’s already time to start planning. Ticket registration opened on January 14, and demand has been high. Navigating the logistics – from scoring top seats to finding comfortable accommodations – will shape the experience as much as the events themselves.

Here’s everything you need to know for an Olympics adventure in 2028.

When are the next Summer Games?

LA28 will kick off its opening ceremony on July 14, 2028. The closing ceremony will take place on July 30, followed by the Paralympics, running from August 15 to August 27.

For a full schedule of the events, visit the LA28 website.

Rafer Johnson lights the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony during the Olympic games in Los Angeles, CA. He is shown at the top of the steps, dressed in white, just below the Olympic rings. — Los Angeles last hosted the summer Olympics in 1984. NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Where will the 2028 Summer Olympic Games take place?

Athletes will prove their prowess at venues in the Los Angeles area and Oklahoma City, with most competing at history-making LA arenas.

The LA Memorial Coliseum, epicenter of the 1932 and 1984 Games, will become the first venue to host both the opening ceremony and track and field events in three Summer Olympics. The 38,000-seat SoFi Stadium will become the largest venue to host swimming in Games history. Skateboarding, BMX freestyling and more will roll through the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area – the first time the Olympics will soar through California’s San Fernando Valley. Gymnastics will leap through Downtown LA’s Crypto.com Arena. Sailing and rowing will glide across water 20 miles south of LA in Long Beach. Surfing will cut through waves 60 miles south at Trestles Beach in San Clemente.

Softball and canoe slalom will take place in Oklahoma City, about 1300 miles east of California, due to a lack of Olympic-standard venues in LA. The decision highlights the International Olympic Committee’s sustainability initiatives, supporting the use of existing infrastructure rather than costly, temporary construction.

How can I buy tickets?

Scoring tickets for the Olympics is its own competitive event.

Start by registering for the LA28 Ticket Draw. The draw officially opened January 14 and closes March 18, 2026. Once registration closes, organizers will randomly select applicants for a designated sales window.

Sales for locally based fans will begin in early April, while sales for visiting fans begin mid-April. Those who aren’t selected get automatically registered for future ticket lotteries. Keep an eye out for subsequent ticket drops on LA28’s website, and act fast, particularly if you’re dying to see gymnasts attempt a Yurchenko Double Pike in front of a rapt audience. (It’s thrilling.) Expect popular events to sell out.

If you’re not selected for a ticket drop, don’t worry. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, over one million tickets for various events remained unsold just one day before the opening ceremony. It’ll also be possible to find tickets on sites like AXS and Eventim, LA28’s preferred secondary ticketing providers.

Ticket prices will start at $28, with a third of the 14 million tickets costing under $100. Expect similar price ranges to Paris, where some tickets cost upwards of $1,000.

BMO Stadium illuminated with purple lights in an aerial view with the Los Angeles skyline in the distance — Olympic events will take place at venues all over LA – such as BMO Stadium – and as far afield as Oklahoma City. LA Tourism

How do I get there?

If you’re flying to LA, you’ll likely land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Expect big crowds – especially during the Olympics. For less stressful arrivals on domestic flights, consider landing at smaller regional airports, including Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Ontario International Airport (ONT).

It’s also possible to arrive via train. Union Station is LA’s major Amtrak hub, connecting the city to Southern California and beyond. There’s frequent service from San Diego (about three hours away) and long-distance routes such as the Coast Starlight from Seattle and the California Zephyr from Chicago. While scenic, Amtrak journeys can be slow and subject to delays. Build in plenty of buffer time.

Car traffic in Los Angeles is notoriously congested. During the Olympics, driving may be the slowest transportation option, so plan on using a mix of public transit, rideshares, and official shuttle services instead.

If Oklahoma City is your final destination, expect to land at Will Rogers International Airport (OKC).

What travel documents will I need?

Tickets to the 2028 Games won’t guarantee entry into the US for foreign travelers. Get to know visa and passport rules based on your nationality – and check for US government updates before traveling.

For many visitors, your passport must be valid for six months after you plan to leave the US – meaning your passport shouldn’t expire until January 2029 for the July 2028 Olympics. Citizens of certain countries are exempt, and may enter with a passport valid only for their stay. Check if your country is on the US exemption list.

If you’re a citizen of a country included in the Visa Waiver Program and plan to stay 90 days or less, you must apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval before departure. Processing can take up to 72 hours.

Canadian citizens don’t need a visa or an ESTA for visits of less than 90 days. Mexican citizens must carry either a tourist visa or, if traveling by land or sea, a Border Crossing Card.

All other foreign visitors must obtain a tourist visa from a US consulate or embassy abroad. Make preparations well in advance: application fees are high and wait times for interviews can take months. Read our visa guide for more information.

A black-and-white image of Members of the US team marching in the opening ceremony of the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles — As at the 1932 (and 1984) Games, the opening ceremony and track-and-field events in 2028 will take place at the LA Memorial Coliseum. B Bennett/Getty Images

What about accommodations?

LA is sprawling. Research travel times between venues and hotels to avoid booking lodging that’s over an hour away from events. If you’re seeing the opening ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum, look for hotels in neighboring Downtown LA. If SoFi Stadium is your spot, opt for somewhere closer, like Culver City.

Oklahoma City is a three-hour-plus plane ride east of LA, so if you’re supercharged about seeing softball, center your trip on OKC.

You can also leave the planning to the experts. On Location, LA28’s official hospitality provider, will tailor upscale packages including everything from tickets and events to hotel accommodations and transportation. Specific details haven’t been released yet, but if you prefer someone else handling arrangements, you can reserve one of two options: Overnight Packages & Hospitality Lounges ($1,000) or Private Suites & Premium Venues ($10,000).

What else can I do to start preparing?

Consider your budget and start saving money. In Paris, the average international spectator spent around $5,000 on their entire trip – including airfare, lodging and tickets, according to Time. Additional expenses to consider include car rentals, food and any non-Olympics excursions – perhaps visiting LA’s mountaintop Getty Center museum, surfing in sandy Malibu or taking a California coast road trip from LA to San Francisco – among many other vacation-worthy City of Angels excursions.

Get out your 2028 calendar and set some reminders. Start securing lodging and airplane tickets roughly a year before the events (around August 2027) – when most US airlines open their booking windows. Once the Games are a few months away (around March 2028), make reservations to must-see spots throughout LA. Competition for room at the best hotels, restaurants and museum exhibits will be nearly as stiff as the 100-meter dash.

I can’t wait until 2028 for another Olympics. What can I do to scratch the itch until then?

Olympians compete at events throughout the year, and traveling to see them in action is a fantastic way to explore the world. Obsessed with pommel horse routines? Fly to Rotterdam for October’s World Gymnastics Championships. Cuckoo for aquatics? Sail to Beijing, where swimmers and divers will compete in December’s World Aquatics Championships. Tickled by tennis? The annual US Open in New York City is a late-summer must.

If you’re hyped about LA, consider scoping out the scene before 2028. With 11 professional sports teams – the most in the US – there’s a little something for sports fans all year. If you prefer showstopper events, check out the 2026 US Women’s Open Golf Championship and 2027 Super Bowl LXI. LA will also be one of 16 North American cities hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer.

As for the next Olympics, they’re right around the corner. The 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will zoom across ice and snow in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo throughout February. The Italian Alps are calling – and there’s still time to plan a trip.