Visa and Ticket Challenges Loom Over LA 2028 Olympics

The recent progress report by American organisers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has put entry visas and ticket prices at the forefront of discussions with the International Olympic Committee. Visa challenges have been a major concern as the games approach, with thousands of athletes, officials, and fans requiring simplified entry into the U.S.

In response to these concerns, Gene Sykes, chairman of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, stated that there has been strong collaboration with the U.S. State Department to create a dedicated visa process for the event's attendees. Additionally, organisers are drawing parallels with the handling of the FIFA World Cup, viewing it as a test run to manage the influx of visitors.

Pricing for tickets also drew criticism during the report. Casey Wasserman, chief of the LA Games, acknowledged that ticket prices are on average 17% higher than those planned for Paris 2024. Without federal funding, the LA Games heavily rely on revenue from both ticket sales and sponsorships to ensure financial viability.