Here’s How Much It Costs to Attend the Olympics (and How to Save for It)

Peter Richardson is a vice president of Planning Excellence at Northwestern Mutual.

The Olympic Games represent a global celebration of sport, culture and athletic achievement. For many people, the chance to witness this spectacle firsthand and cheer on Team USA is a bucket-list goal. They can’t wait to watch their favorite sports with family and friends along with people from all over the world.

There’s nothing quite like being there in person when the world’s greatest athletes chase history. Imagine roaring with the crowd for your country and experiencing a global party like no other.

But while the memories are priceless, the trip itself may come with a gold-medal price tag. From “Olympic-priced” hotels to the dash for event tickets, the costs add up fast. Here’s a breakdown of what it costs to get to the Games and how to build a winning savings plan.

Going for gold: Costs of attending the Olympics

While exact figures depend on which events you attend and how long you stay, an approximate cost per person for a trip can easily run into several thousand dollars. To help you cross the finish line without breaking the bank, let’s look at the main things to consider.

Scoring your Olympics seats

There’s a wide range of ticket costs, depending on which events are on your short list. The opening and closing ceremonies are typically expensive—especially if you want to be close to the action. At the Paris Games, the opening ceremony seated tickets ranged from the equivalent of about $100 to over $2,900. Securing a seat for the finals of premier events like track and field or gymnastics can quickly escalate to thousands of dollars per ticket. This reflects the demand for these once-in-a-lifetime moments.

But if you’re looking to soak in the Olympics atmosphere without breaking the bank, many events—particularly the early rounds and qualifiers—are surprisingly affordable. For example, it’s projected that about one-third of all tickets for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be priced under $100. Your crew could attend several events and experience the Games on a more modest budget.

Whatever ticket level you’re seeking, make sure you plan ahead. The ticket sales process known as the LA28 Ticket Draw begin over two years in advance of the Games, and some events are likely to sell out. (Paralympic tickets will go on sale in 2027.)

The Olympics premium for hotels and rentals

Finding a place to stay at the right price may be the most challenging part of your trip planning. As the world descends on a single city, the local housing market prices transform. During the Paris 2024 Games, we saw this “Olympic-sized” demand firsthand, with hotel prices skyrocketing to as much as three times their standard rates.

Considering that current average hotel rates in a city like Los Angeles hover around $300 per night, you might have to budget about $900 per night for the 2028 Games. Securing accommodation early or exploring alternative options like short-term rentals can sometimes mitigate these steep prices. You could plan to stay in cities connected by light rail (like Santa Monica, Long Beach or Pasadena) to soften the blow.

Getting there and getting around the city

Travel will probably be one of the biggest parts of your Olympics budget, and you may want to budget at least $800 to $1,000 per person round trip. Flight costs largely depend on your departure location and how far you book in advance.

Pro tip: Timing is everything. Most airlines start selling flights about 10 to 11 months in advance. Remember that the credit card bill will arrive shortly after you hit “confirm,” so try to have those funds ready to go.

If you’re planning a road trip, estimate the gas and tolls—and, most importantly, parking. LA parking is notoriously pricey and hard to find. Try to find a hotel or rental that includes a parking spot.

Once you’re in the city, the 2028 Games are aiming to be “transit-first.” That means the organizers aren’t planning to offer public parking at most venues, so you’ll be relying on LA’s growing public transit system or ride-sharing apps. Just keep in mind that Uber and Lyft will likely be in surge mode throughout the Games. Have a quick chat with your travel crew now to decide how you’ll split those costs, which can add up fast.

The “little things” that add up

Beyond the big three—tickets, accommodations and travel—lots of other costs will contribute to your overall budget. Don’t let the smaller expenses sneak up on your budget:

• Remember to account for things back at home. You might need to board your dog or pay for a house sitter.
• You aren’t there just to sit in a stadium! Between official Olympics merchandise, stadium nachos and that “must-visit” restaurant in Santa Monica, your daily spending will be higher than a typical Tuesday at home.
• If you’re self-employed or don’t have paid time off, you’ll lose out on some income while you’re traveling. Factor that into your budget.

Your Olympics trip total

Now estimate your expenses from each category and total them. Multiply by the number of people traveling with you (unless they’re paying their own costs). Now, let’s look at some savvy ways to start saving monthly so you can head out on your trip with total peace of mind.

Save like a marathon versus a sprint

Now that you’ve got your “Olympics number” in mind, it’s time to build the training plan to get you there. Take a look at your monthly budget. The best savings strategy isn’t the one that feels like a 100-meter sprint; it’s a plan that you can maintain for the long haul without burning out.

Take a fresh look at your spending to find some flexible spots:

• Make trades: Find ways to socialize at a lower price tag—meet friends out for a drink or dessert but eat the main meal at your house.
• Pivot other travel plans: Skip a long-weekend trip to put that money toward your Olympics fund.
• The “Subscription Sweep”: Look for those recurring digital subscriptions you can pause or live without.

You might want to be upfront about your new budget pressure by “getting real” with friends and family, which is sometimes called loud budgeting. It can help you spend less by admitting that you’re being more careful with your money. And you might feel less guilty about saying no in the short term to get what you ultimately want.

Make consistency your winning play

Then establish a regular savings pattern—whether it’s with each paycheck or every month—and commit. Consistency will help you reach your goal without a dramatic lifestyle change. Savings habits are easier when you automate them—for example, setting up a transfer after each paycheck. Just keep an eye on your bank balance so your automation doesn’t outpace your spending.

As you save, stash the money in a financial tool that is safe and unlikely to lose money. You could talk with your financial advisor about recommendations, but typical examples include these:

• A high-yield savings account. These accounts offer a much better interest rate than traditional savings accounts. The money you store away will earn some interest as the Games approach. They’re safe because they are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000. There’s virtually no risk of losing amounts up to that even if the bank that holds your account fails.
• A fixed-income investment such as a certificate of deposit (CD). When you open a CD, you deposit a sum of money for a fixed period, and in return, the bank pays you a guaranteed interest rate. Because you’re saving for a specific short-term goal, a CD provides predictability, allowing you to count on a certain increase in your savings by the time your Olympics trip rolls around. Just remember that the money is “locked in” for the term.
• A money market account. This is another FDIC-insured option. Most banks will require a minimum initial deposit to open your money market account. The average minimum is between $2,500 and $5,000.
• A money market fund (MMF), which is a type of mutual fund offered by investment companies. While considered low risk, money invested in an MMF isn’t FDIC insured—and as a result they typically offer higher yields than money market accounts.
• Short-term Treasurys. These are debt obligations issued and backed by the U.S. government. Because they’re considered one of the safest investments in the world, they are an excellent place to “park” cash for a short-term goal.

Avoid major injuries to your financial health

While enthusiasm for your Olympics trip is probably running high, it’s crucial to avoid certain pitfalls that could damage your financial health in the long run.

• Don’t pause your progress on paying down high-interest debts. Although it may be tempting, ignoring credit card balances, student loans or other obligations with steep interest rates will only see that debt accumulate faster. Continue your progress in the short term to free up more money in the long term.
• If you’re working, avoid tapping into long-term savings meant for retirement. Early withdrawals from accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs often incur significant penalties and taxes. Early withdrawals can also severely damage the power of long-term compound growth. The money you take out now loses decades of potential earnings, making it much harder to reach your retirement goals. Your future self will thank you for keeping those funds untouched.
• Likewise, you probably don’t want to turn to a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This puts your house up as collateral, which is risky. And you typically want to avoid incurring debt for a vacation.
• Resist the urge to create new debts as a result of saving more than you can truly afford on your current budget. Your Olympics fund shouldn’t come at the expense of taking care of your health or your daily essentials just to make ends meet.
• Finally, while the allure of quick wealth can be strong, don’t turn to highly volatile assets like cryptocurrency or “meme stocks” for your Olympics vacation fund. While these investments can sometimes offer high rewards, they come with equally high risk. Their value can plummet dramatically and unexpectedly, potentially wiping out your travel fund. Stick to more stable, predictable methods for short-term savings goals.

By planning your strategy now and staying clear of common financial traps, you aren’t just saving for a trip—you're proving that with the right plan, even a “dream goal” like the Olympics is within your reach. And if you need help along the way, turn to your Northwestern Mutual financial advisor. Think of them as your financial coach who’ll help get you to the Olympics.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®, and CFP^® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.