Ticket Categories Explained
A ticket category tells you which zone of the venue your seat is in, and every event defines its own system. The French Open uses named categories such as Cat Gold, Cat 1 and Cat 2 plus loges, LA 2028 uses lettered categories where Category A sits closest to the action, and Wimbledon debentures are defined by court and purchase tier rather than seat zones. Reading the category correctly is the single best way to know what you are paying for.
French Open: Cat Gold, Cat 1, Cat 2 and loges
On the show courts at Roland-Garros, categories ring the court in bands:
- Cat Gold: the lowest tier closest to the clay, the premium view on Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen.
- Cat 1: the next band up, still low in the bowl with excellent sightlines.
- Cat 2: higher rows at a lower price, a solid value pick for full day sessions.
- Loges: private boxes with premium positioning, sold as hospitality style products.
Day sessions offer several matches while night sessions on Chatrier feature one headline match, so category and session type together determine value. Compare bands on our seating charts, then browse French Open 2027 tickets. More practical detail lives in the French Open FAQ.
LA 2028: lettered categories, A closest to the action
Each LA 2028 venue is split into lettered categories running from A through J. Category A sits closest to the action and prices step down through the letters, so a Category B gymnastics seat can cost several times a Category F seat at the same session. The letters map differently in every venue, since an aquatics center and the Coliseum have very different shapes, which is exactly what venue maps are for. See current market pricing on our Olympics 2028 ticket prices page and browse the LA 2028 Summer Games collection.
Wimbledon: debenture seats, not categories
Wimbledon works differently. There are no numbered categories, because every debenture seat is a premium reserved seat on Centre Court or No.1 Court, and debentures are the only Wimbledon tickets that may legally be resold under UK rules. Pricing varies by court, by day and by purchase tier: a 1-2 ticket tier for singles and pairs, and a 3-4 ticket tier for adjacent blocks, explained in buying tickets for groups. Debenture holders also get lounge, bar and restaurant access inside the grounds. Start with the Wimbledon debenture guide and check the current price table.
How to choose a category
Decide your budget per person first, since GoalTickets prices are per person and final with no checkout fees. Then open the venue map in our seating chart library and find where your budget lands. For long day sessions, a mid category seat you sit in for six hours often beats a premium seat for a single match. When in doubt, ask via the Help Center.
Frequently asked questions
What do French Open ticket categories mean?
Cat Gold is the closest band to the court, followed by Cat 1 and Cat 2 higher in the bowl, with loges sold as private box hospitality. Lower category numbers sit closer to the clay.
How do LA 2028 Olympic ticket categories work?
Venues are split into lettered categories from A through J. Category A is closest to the action and prices step down through the letters, with the exact layout varying by venue.
Why does Wimbledon have no ticket categories?
Debenture tickets are all premium reserved seats on Centre Court or No.1 Court, so prices vary by court, day and purchase tier rather than by seating zone.
Where can I see seating maps for these venues?
The GoalTickets seating chart library at /pages/seating-charts covers the major venues sold on the site, including Roland-Garros courts, LA 2028 venues and Rugby World Cup 2027 stadiums.
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