Discover everything about the Summer Olympic 2028 in Los Angeles! Get official dates, explore iconic venues like the Coliseum & SoFi Stadium, and learn about exciting new sports confirmed for LA28. Your ultimate guide to the next Summer Games.
The global spotlight is steadily turning towards Los Angeles, California, as it prepares to host the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, more commonly known as the Summer Olympic 2028. Set to dazzle the world from July 14 to July 30, 2028, LA28 promises to be a spectacle of athleticism, innovation, and sustainability. This will mark a historic third time Los Angeles welcomes the Summer Olympic Games, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984, making it the first non-European city to achieve this distinction.
Table of Contents
Dates to Remember: The Official Schedule of the Summer Olympic 2028
The Summer Olympic 2028 officially kicks off with its much-anticipated Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028. This grand event will set the stage for two weeks of intense competition and celebration. The Games will then culminate with the Closing Ceremony on July 30, 2028, bringing an end to the athletic marvels.
The Paralympic Games will follow, running from August 15 to August 27, 2028, ensuring a comprehensive celebration of sports in Los Angeles. While the full, day-by-day competition schedule for each sport is still under development and will be released closer to the event, these official dates provide the framework for planning. Athletes will compete across 36 sports, vying for 351 medals, promising a packed calendar of thrilling events throughout the Summer Olympic 2028.
A City of Champions: Exploring the Iconic Venues of the Summer Olympic 2028
One of the defining characteristics of the Summer Olympic 2028 is its commitment to sustainability and efficiency by utilizing a vast array of existing, world-class venues. Los Angeles’s rich sporting infrastructure means that no new permanent venues are being built specifically for the Games. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also showcases the city’s enduring legacy as a sporting hub.
The venues for LA28 are broadly categorized into “Sports Parks” and clusters across Greater Los Angeles, with some events even extending to other cities in Southern California and two sub-sites in Oklahoma City. This distributed model allows for optimal use of facilities and offers diverse backdrops for the competitions.
Downtown Sports Park: The Heart of the Action
The Downtown Sports Park will be a vibrant core of the Summer Olympic 2028.
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: A truly iconic venue, the Coliseum will make history as the first stadium to host events in three different Olympic Games (1932, 1984, and 2028). It will play a central role, hosting Athletics (Track and Field) and the grand Closing Ceremony. Notably, it will also share the Opening Ceremony duties with SoFi Stadium.
- Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center): This versatile arena will be a hub for indoor sports, slated to host Gymnastics (Artistic and Trampolining) and the finals of Boxing.
- Los Angeles Convention Center: This massive complex will be transformed to accommodate multiple sports, including Fencing, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Judo, and Wrestling.
- Galen Center (USC Sports Center): Located at the University of Southern California, this venue is set to host Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics.
- Peacock Theater: This theater will host the preliminary rounds of Boxing and Weightlifting.
- BMO Stadium (Stadium in Exposition Park): Home to MLS’s LAFC, this stadium will welcome the newly added sports of Flag Football and Lacrosse.
- LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium (1932 Pool): This historic pool will host Diving events, showcasing a blend of Olympic past and present.
Long Beach Sports Park: Coastal Competitions
The picturesque Long Beach waterfront will create a stunning backdrop for several water-based and beach sports.
- Long Beach Waterfront: Ideal for open-water events, it will host Coastal Rowing and Marathon Swimming.
- Long Beach Convention Center: Various parts of this center will be adapted for Shooting (Target), Artistic Swimming, Water Polo, and Sport Climbing.
- Long Beach Arena: This venue is designated for Handball.
- Alamitos Beach: The sandy shores will be home to thrilling Beach Volleyball competitions.
- Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier: This pier will be the setting for Sailing.
- Long Beach Marine Stadium: An existing Olympic venue from 1932, it will once again host Rowing and Canoe Sprint.
Westside Venues: Blending Sport with Lifestyle
The Westside of Los Angeles will feature a blend of iconic landmarks and modern facilities.
- SoFi Stadium (Stadium in Inglewood): This state-of-the-art stadium will share the Opening Ceremony responsibilities with the Memorial Coliseum and will host Swimming events, with a temporary pool installed.
- Intuit Dome (Arena in Inglewood): The new home of the LA Clippers, this arena will be the venue for Basketball (Indoor).
- UCLA: The University of California, Los Angeles campus will serve as the primary Olympic Village and Olympic Village Training Center, providing accommodation and training facilities for thousands of athletes.
- Santa Monica and Venice Beach: These iconic beaches will host the Athletics Marathon, Road Cycling, and Triathlon, offering a scenic and challenging course.
- Riviera Country Club: This prestigious golf course will welcome Golf events.
Southern California Regional Venues: Extending the Olympic Reach
The Summer Olympic 2028 will extend its footprint beyond the immediate Los Angeles area, utilizing top-tier facilities across Southern California.
- Rose Bowl (Pasadena): Another historic venue, the Rose Bowl will host key matches in the Football (Soccer) tournament, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and both the men’s and women’s finals.
- Santa Anita Park (Arcadia): This historic racetrack will be the site for Equestrian events.
- Honda Center (Anaheim): Located in Orange County, this arena will host Volleyball.
- Fairplex (Pomona): The fairgrounds will be adapted to host Cricket, making its return to the Summer Olympic program for the first time since 1900.
- LA Clays Shooting Sports Park (South El Monte): This existing facility will host Shooting (Shotgun) events.
- Trestles (San Clemente/San Diego County): This renowned surf spot will be the natural arena for Surfing.
- Oklahoma City Sub-sites: In a unique arrangement, Canoe Slalom and Softball will take place in Oklahoma City, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Games.
The Evolving Olympic Program: New Sports and Gender Parity
The Summer Olympic 2028 will feature an exciting evolution of the Olympic program, introducing new sports and reinforcing the IOC’s commitment to gender equality.
- New Additions: Flag Football and Squash will make their debut as optional sports. The Games will also see the return of Baseball/Softball, Cricket (for the first time since 1900), and Lacrosse (as a medal event for the first time since 1908). These additions reflect the dynamism of the Olympic Movement and its desire to engage new audiences.
- Core Sport Promotions: Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing, which debuted as optional events in Tokyo 2020, have been promoted to the Summer Olympic core event program, solidifying their place in the Games.
- Modern Pentathlon Overhaul: The modern pentathlon is expected to feature a new format, replacing the traditional show jumping with obstacle course racing, promising a fresh challenge for athletes.
- Gender Parity: LA28 is set to achieve a historic milestone by featuring more female than male athletes, with a greater number of women’s events and increased team quotas for women’s sports like football and water polo. This move underscores the ongoing commitment to gender balance in the Olympic Games. Six new mixed-gender events have also been added, further diversifying the competition.
Athlete Experience: Olympic Village and Training Facilities
The Summer Olympic 2028 places a strong emphasis on providing an exceptional experience for the thousands of athletes descending upon Los Angeles.
- Olympic Village at UCLA: As in 1984, the main Olympic Village will be situated at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This world-class university campus offers existing housing, dining facilities, and training centers, ensuring a comfortable and convenient environment for athletes.
- Media Village at USC: The University of Southern California (USC) will host the Media Village and Main Press Center, providing dedicated facilities for the thousands of journalists and broadcasters covering the Games.
- Centralized Paralympic Village: For the Paralympic Games, para-athletes will be housed in a single Paralympic Village, a significant step towards enhancing their experience.
A Legacy of Innovation and Sustainability for the Summer Olympic 2028
The Summer Olympic 2028 aims to set a new standard for sustainable and cost-effective mega-events. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the Games will minimize their environmental footprint and maximize community benefits. The plans include reusing or returning all temporary and overlay materials to their natural state, a truly revolutionary concept.
Beyond the sporting spectacle, LA28 is designed to be a catalyst for positive change in Los Angeles and beyond. It will showcase the city’s diverse culture, foster community engagement, and inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders. The Games will also benefit from significant transportation infrastructure improvements that are set to be completed before 2028, ensuring smooth movement for athletes, spectators, and officials.
The Countdown Begins: Anticipation for the Summer Olympic 2028
With the Summer Olympic 2028 just over three years away, the anticipation is steadily building. Athletes worldwide are already setting their sights on Los Angeles, intensifying their training with the dream of competing on the grandest stage. For fans, the detailed venue plans and the exciting program additions promise an unforgettable experience.
The Summer Olympic 2028 in Los Angeles is poised to be a celebration of human achievement, a testament to the power of sport to unite, and a blueprint for a more sustainable future for global events. As the countdown continues, the world eagerly awaits the moment when the Olympic flame ignites in the City of Angels, heralding the arrival of another iconic chapter in Olympic history.