Discover the Key to Scoring Last-Minute Tickets for the 2024 Summer Olympics at a Discount

Surprise! The City of Lights isn't the only venue for the 2024 Summer Olympics. While this isn't exactly a secret, many are unaware that the Olympic Agenda, released last October, states, “Games can now be hosted across multiple cities, regions, or even countries, rather than being confined to a single main city.” Why the shift? It promotes sustainability by reducing the number of new venues needed. But there’s more—it also makes attending the Olympics more budget-friendly.

For instance, in three weeks, my childhood friend Katie will be joining me in Marseille to watch both men’s and women’s soccer (tickets starting at $16) and sailing (hospitality packages beginning at $350). Marseille is one of 17 cities and communes in France hosting Olympic events from July 26 to August 11. Meanwhile, surfing competitions will take place in French Polynesia (specifically, Tahiti). While we adore Paris—the main host city—we visited in 2021. This year, the Cote d’Azur is calling, and unexpectedly, it’s within our budget.

Even with searches up 80 percent year over year, Booking.com reports that Marseille still offers a wealth of comfortable hotel rooms for under $300 per night, a rate that’s hard to find in Paris these days. For instance, at the end of July, rates at the 4-star NH Paris Champs-Elyssées start at $600 per night. In contrast, we just secured a room at the NH Collection Marseille for $215 per night, after envisioning ourselves in the many enticing options available on AirBnB.

If we choose to indulge and head east along the glamorous French Riviera, we’ll stay at Hôtel Belles Rives (rooms starting at $600 per night). This 5-star beachfront Art Deco gem—where F. Scott Fitzgerald was known to celebrate with Ernest Hemingway—features one of the oldest water skiing schools in the world. Perhaps we’ll treat ourselves to a lesson and uncover our hidden talents, preparing for when the Olympic committee includes water skiing in future games. Afterward, we’ll take the train to Nice to cheer on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team as they face Zambia, with tickets starting at just $16. Other cities like Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nantes will also host Olympic soccer matches, including the Men’s Quarterfinals (tickets from $70) and the Women’s Bronze Medal Match (tickets from $38).

If you’re planning to splurge on a hotel in Paris but can’t secure tickets to all the matches on your wishlist, check your hotel’s offerings. Luxurious spots like Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris are organizing viewing parties for their guests.

If you’re particularly excited about the equestrian events, consider staying in Versailles. You won’t find a room at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace for less than $1,400 per night. However, AirBnB still offers a few apartments in the Versailles area starting at just $100 per night. While the official Paris2024.org website lists only hospitality packages starting at $1,200 for equestrian tickets, Ticombo has options starting at $84. Just keep in mind that purchasing from resellers carries some risk.

If basketball is on your itinerary, consider making Lille your base. Both the men’s and women’s teams (tickets starting at $54) will compete in this Flemish city that borders Belgium. In fact, staying in Brussels, just 38 minutes away via Eurostar express, can be more economical. While double rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Lille Centre begin at $257, you can find a spacious king room with a balcony at the Holiday Inn Brussels - Schuman for only $137.

If your aim is to catch some golf (tickets starting at $26), you might spot Scottie Scheffler in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, where both the men's and women's competitions will kick off on August 1. This new suburb of Paris, established in the 1960s and located just 20 miles west of the city, will also host the indoor cycling events (tickets from $194) in its 6,000-seat velodrome. One-bedroom apartments here start at around $100 per night, making AirBnB a smart choice.

What about flights? We’re sticking to our budget there too. For instance, American Airlines still offers roundtrip nonstop tickets from JFK to CDG starting at $765. From Paris, you can easily find affordable train or plane options to Bordeaux, Nice, Lille, Lyon, or Versailles. If you join us in Marseille, don’t be shy; come say hi (or bonjour). We’ll be the two tourists decked out in full Team USA gear.