LA28’s Second Ticket Drop Starts the Travel Planning Clock for the Olympics

LA28 has opened registration for its second Olympic ticket draw, turning the 2028 Los Angeles Games from a distant sports event into an active travel-planning issue for U.S. fans, travel advisors and package sellers. The new ticket window matters because the first release moved quickly: Reuters reported that more than 4 million tickets were sold in the initial drop, with buyers coming from all 50 states, U.S. territories and 85 countries.

The next phase is not simply another chance to buy seats. It is a deadline-driven moment that will shape when travelers start choosing airports, hotels, ground transportation and event clusters across Southern California, Oklahoma City and other soccer host cities tied to the LA28 plan.

Key LA28 Ticket Dates Travelers Need to Know

According to LA28’s official ticketing guidance, registration for both the Drop 2 Olympic Ticket Draw and the Visa Presale Draw closes on July 22, 2026. Selected Visa cardholders will receive presale time-slot notifications on July 27, with the presale scheduled for July 29-31. General Drop 2 notifications are scheduled for August 6-7, with purchase time slots running from August 10-20.

LA28 says Drop 2 will include refreshed inventory across all Olympic sports and a range of price points, subject to availability. Fans who registered for the first ticket draw but did not receive a time slot, or did not use their full ticket allotment, are automatically entered into Drop 2. Paralympic tickets are expected to become available for purchase in 2027.

The ticket limits also matter for trip design. Reuters reported that buyers may purchase up to 12 Olympic event tickets, plus up to 12 additional soccer tournament tickets, while ceremonies are capped at four tickets and count toward the Olympic maximum. That structure encourages travelers to think carefully about whether they are planning one marquee event, a multi-day Olympic itinerary, or a broader Southern California vacation built around the Games.

Why This Is a Travel Story, Not Just a Ticket Story

The strongest signal for the travel market is demand. Reuters reported that nearly three-quarters of the tickets sold in the first release went to residents of the Los Angeles and Oklahoma City areas, including about 500,000 tickets priced at $28 and 95% of available tickets under $100. The second drop opens another path for domestic and international fans who were not able to buy in the first wave, which means more travelers may begin converting interest into concrete trip plans this summer.

That timing is important because official travel products are beginning to come into view even though the Games are still two years away. LA28 says flights for summer 2028 should generally become available 11 to 12 months before travel, with options around the Games expected to appear in 2027 depending on the airline. Airbnb accommodations around the LA28 footprint are expected to become available for booking starting in July 2026, while hotel availability will depend on each provider’s own booking calendar.

For travel advisors and tour operators, the practical takeaway is that ticket access may now come before the rest of the trip can be fully booked. That creates a staggered planning process: secure the event window first, then monitor lodging, flights, local transport and cancellation terms as supplier inventory opens.

Airport Choice Will Be Part of the Strategy

LA28’s official travel page identifies several airports serving the Los Angeles region: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Ontario International Airport (ONT). That list reflects the geographic spread of the Games. LA28’s venue plan includes zones across Downtown Los Angeles, Exposition Park, Inglewood, Long Beach, Pasadena, Anaheim, Carson, Venice, the Valley and other parts of Southern California.

In practical terms, the best airport may depend less on airfare alone and more on the events a traveler actually wins access to. Fans focused on Long Beach, Carson or coastal venues may make different airport and hotel choices than those attending events in Downtown Los Angeles, Inglewood or Pasadena. Comparing LAX airport transfers, BUR airport transfers and LAX car rental options before booking can help travelers avoid building an itinerary that looks inexpensive on paper but becomes difficult on event days.

Oklahoma City is also part of the Olympic footprint, with LA28 listing an OKC Zone that includes softball and canoe slalom venues. Travelers who draw tickets for those events should treat Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) and local ground transportation as a separate planning track rather than an add-on to a Los Angeles trip.

International Fans Still Need Entry Planning

LA28 is also clear that a ticket does not guarantee entry into the United States or approval for a visa. That point is especially important for inbound travel sellers, sponsors, international fan groups and families coordinating across multiple countries. Travelers who need U.S. visas should not wait until flight schedules open in 2027 to check appointment availability, passport validity and entry requirements.

The same caution applies to hospitality packages and unofficial travel offers. LA28’s official ticketing page says general tickets are handled through the LA28 ticket draw, while official hospitality packages are available through On Location and may combine guaranteed tickets with premium experiences, travel and other extras. Travelers should be careful about third-party claims until LA28’s official resale system and authorized channels are clearly in place.

What Travelers Should Do Next

For U.S. travelers, the immediate action is simple: register by July 22 if they want a chance at the second Olympic ticket drop. The more strategic task is to map likely event zones before buying. A family hoping to attend beach volleyball, gymnastics and soccer may be planning three very different transportation days, not one generic Los Angeles vacation.

Travel advisors should also start separating clients by trip type. Local or regional fans may need event-day transport and parking guidance. Out-of-state travelers will need airport and lodging monitoring. International fans may need visa timelines, document checks and longer arrival buffers. Corporate and group buyers should pay attention to LA28’s group-ticket rules and hospitality options, since standard ticket limits may not match larger incentive or client-entertainment plans.

The second ticket drop does not mean every LA28 travel decision must be made now. It does mean the planning sequence has begun. Once tickets are assigned, the next competitive phase will move to lodging, airport choice and ground transportation. Travelers who treat those pieces as one connected plan will be better positioned than those who buy tickets first and solve the trip later.