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.