The Obama Presidential Center is already one of Chicago’s most in-demand new destinations.
Now, another block of museum tickets is set to be released in July. The new release comes after early demand quickly filled many available dates before the center opened to the public.
The next block of tickets will become available to Obama Foundation Founding Members on July 1, followed by the general public on July 8. The new release will include museum admission dates from September through January 2027.
Those hoping to get early access can become an Obama Foundation Founding Member by making a recurring gift. Membership starts at $5 a month, or $75 or more for an annual gift.
Founding Member benefits include early access to newly released Obama Presidential Center Museum tickets, exclusive member ticket inventory during the 2026 grand opening year, invitations to select Obama Foundation and Presidential Center events, merchandise discounts and behind-the-scenes digital content. The Barack Obama Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The museum is currently sold out, according to the Obama Foundation. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance because admission is expected to remain in high demand.
The Obama Presidential Center officially opened to the public on June 19, 2026, in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. The public opening aligned with Juneteenth and followed a grand opening ceremony on June 18.
Located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., the center includes a ticketed museum, a Chicago Public Library branch, a playground, a sledding hill, a café and restaurant, an athletic center and community spaces. The broader campus spans more than 19 acres and is open to the public, while the museum requires timed-entry tickets.
Museum admission includes access to all four levels of the museum, including the Oval Office and the Sky Room. Tickets are timed-entry only, and visitors are encouraged to arrive within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Adult tickets are $30, with discounted admission available for Illinois residents and children.
The upcoming July ticket release follows strong early demand for the museum. Museum tickets first went on sale to the general public on May 6, 2026. Within hours, tickets for the first month were sold out, with all of June and half of July already taken. By May 8, tickets through late July were sold out, and Illinois Free Days on Tuesdays were sold out through late October.
Even without museum tickets, visitors can explore much of the campus, including outdoor areas, public art, gathering spaces and other free public amenities.
Key Details
Founding Member early access: July 1, 2026
Next public ticket release: July 8, 2026
New ticket window: September through January 2027
Original public ticket sale: May 6, 2026
Public opening: June 19, 2026
Location: 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., Jackson Park
Museum ticket required: Yes
Campus access: Many outdoor and community spaces are free and open to the public
