ESPN reporter Holly Rowe has voiced strong criticism of the service fees associated with purchasing tickets for the LA28 Olympic Games. Rowe shared her experience of paying $3,300 for two Category B tickets to a track and field event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, only to be charged an additional $793 service fee, bringing the total cost to $4,093.
This additional charge represented approximately 24 percent of the original ticket price. Rowe expressed her disappointment on social media platform X, stating, "I am SO excited I was able to purchase tickets for @LA28 until I got my receipt. I work so hard for my money to splurge on this once in a lifetime experience but the service fees should NOT be sliding scale."
She argued that the service charge should not increase disproportionately with ticket cost, stating, "Same service for a $100 ticket as a $1000 ticket. THIS is NOT fair to fans."
Rowe's complaint adds to a growing sentiment of frustration among potential attendees regarding LA28 ticket pricing and availability. Organizers have previously promoted the affordability of the Games, noting that nearly half of all tickets would be priced under $200 and advertising a limited number of $28 seats for local residents.
However, many early purchasers have reported a different reality. Interviews with 18 individuals who bought tickets during the initial release revealed a wide range of experiences. Some secured multiple tickets for a few hundred dollars, while others spent thousands on limited inventory for popular events. Several buyers indicated they exceeded their budgets due to the perceived once-in-a-lifetime nature of hosting the Olympics in their hometown.
Other attendees reported that affordable seating options were unavailable by the time their purchase windows opened, leaving them with expensive alternatives, less desirable events, or no option to attend.
LA28 has announced another significant ticket release is scheduled for August, following a registration period that saw approximately 12 million sign-ups from over 200 countries. For Rowe, the primary concern was not the base price of the tickets, which she selected knowingly, but the substantial service fee that she felt unfairly penalized fans at the point of sale.