when do tickets go on sale for the obama center

Museum tickets for the Obama Presidential Center first went on sale on May 6, 2026 for the general public, after an earlier member presale on April 21, 2026. A newer batch of tickets was also announced for July 8, 2026, with access dates extending from September 2026 into January 2027.

What that means

• General public sale: May 6, 2026.

• Founding Member presale: April 21, 2026.

• Additional public release: July 8, 2026.

Campus access

The Obama Presidential Center campus itself is free and open to the public, while the Museum requires timed-entry tickets. Illinois residents also get free Museum entry on Tuesdays, with those tickets starting June 23, 2026.