How to get tickets to Trump’s inauguration; $500 tickets spotted on Craigslist
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Looking to go to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Monday? What happens if you don't score a ticket to the 45th-turned-47th president's big day?
Here's what you need to know:
JUMP TO: WHO IS OFFERING TICKETS? | NO TICKETS? WHAT TO DO
How to get inauguration tickets
What we know:
Over 220,000 color-coded tickets were printed and handed out to members of Congress on Monday, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).
Tickets to the ceremony are free, but in high demand, and each member’s office is responsible for distributing their allotment of tickets to constituents. Only ticketholders may enter the Capitol Grounds on Inauguration Day. Gates open at 5 a.m., and guests are encouraged to read the list of prohibited items.
"The over by the Government Publishing Office and contain multiple security features to protect against counterfeiting," the JCCIC said in a post on their website. "Every person attending the Inaugural Ceremonies on Capitol Grounds is required to have a ticket, including children."
Anyone who is interested in attending should contact their senators or representative for information about acquiring tickets, according to the JCCIC. Tickets must be picked up from your local representative's office in Washington, D.C.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, left, takes the oath of office as U.S. First Lady-elect Melania Trump and family stand during the 58th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.Jim Bourg/Pool via Bloomberg
Trump's ticket application
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee website has its very own ticket request form. Only one or two tickets may be requested.
"Come stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of your fellow Americans and witness history," the committee writes.
Local officials offering tickets
Local perspective:
While some, such as U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, are no longer accepting new inauguration ticket requests, others, such as U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, still are.
- US Representative Jerry Nadler (NY-12): "Given the high demand for the limited number of available tickets, unfortunately, very few of my constituents who request tickets will receive them." Click HERE for more information.
- US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01): "Our office will follow up as we begin to approach the inauguration to provide updates on ticket distribution, security information, and other details to plan your visit." Click HERE for more information.
- US Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11): "Due to the large volume of requests our office has received, we are no longer accepting new requests. If you submitted a request for tickets you should be hearing from our office in the coming weeks." Click HERE for more information.
- US Representative Nydia Velázquez (NY-07): No longer accepting applications for tickets.
- US Representative Andrew Garbarino (NY-02): "Please note that submission of a request does not guarantee the availability of tickets, as demand far exceeds the number of tickets available." Click HERE for more information.
To find your congressional representative, click HERE.
A view of the National Mall ahead of the inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. The inauguration will take place on January 20. (Photo by Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty I
How to watch the inauguration – without a ticket
Even though the Capitol Grounds will be closed off to non-ticketholders, any member of the public may watch Trump's inauguration from the National Mall west of 4th Street. The section of the map closest to the Capitol will require tickets.
The Presidential Parade, which begins at 2:30 p.m. on 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, also does not require a ticket.
MORE: Why is Trump's inauguration on MLK Day?
Can't make it to D.C.? FOX 5 NY will stream live coverage of the inauguration as early as 9 a.m. on Monday. You can watch live here on our website or download our app, FOX LOCAL, to watch on your smart TV or phone. Click here to download our mobile app now.
Tickets selling for $500 on Craigslist
Dig deeper:
FOX 5 NY spotted several Craigslist listings for inauguration tickets, including one seller offering tickets for $500 each.
"Tickets are available for free and are not intended for sale or resale and are non-transferrable," a JCCIC representative told USA Today.
In 2013, Craigslist and eBay banned the resale of inaugural tickets, according to The Hill, but it's unclear if those e-commerce sites will take similar action in 2025. Sellers on eBay are also listing Trump inauguration tickets – from 2017 – so users looking for inauguration tickets online should be vigilant.
FOX 5 NY reached out to the Federal Trade Commission for comment on inauguration ticket resellers.
"We don’t have any guidance specific to the Inauguration on this, but in general we recommend only acquiring tickets directly from the authorized source," the representative said in a statement. :It is also worth noting that the Inauguration can be viewed for free from the National Mall in Washington, where screens and speakers will be set up."
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: President Elect Donald Trump arrives on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. In today's inauguration ceremony Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by
Got your tickets? Here's what each color means
What you can do:
Ticketed guests must enter the Capitol Grounds through the entry point designated for their particular section. Ticketholders should be aware of the following entry points and suggested metro transportation routes that correspond with tickets:
- Lime Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Capitol South (Orange or Blue Line) or Eastern Market (Orange or Blue Line). Enter screening point at First Street and D Street SE. – Lime Gate ONLY.
- Orange Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Federal Center SW (Orange or Blue Line) or L’Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow or Green Line). Enter screening point at Second Street and D Street SW. – Orange Gate ONLY.
- Yellow Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Union Station (Red Line) or NoMa Gallaudet U (Red Line). Enter screening point at First Street and D Street NW. – Yellow Gate ONLY.
- Blue Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Union Station (Red Line) or NoMa Gallaudet U (Red Line). Enter screening point at Delaware Avenue and D Street NE. – Blue Gate ONLY.
- Turquoise Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Federal Center SW (Orange or Blue Line) or L’Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow or Green Line). Enter screening point at Third Street and C Street SW. – Turquoise Gate ONLY.
- Pink Ticket Holders: Take Metro to Judiciary Square (Red Line) or Gallery Place (Red, Yellow or Green Line). Enter screening point at Third Street and D Street NW. – Pink Gate ONLY.
For more information on the day's events, click HERE.
The Source: This article includes reporting from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies along with USA Today, The Hill and a statement from the FTC provided to FOX 5 NY.