The 2028 Summer Olympic Games are coming to Los Angeles, California — and they promise to be unlike any Olympic Games in history. From brand-new sports to record athlete quotas, from iconic venues to a landmark broadcast deal, here is your complete guide to everything you need to know about LA 2028.
When and Where
The XXXIV Summer Olympics will run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, across Greater Los Angeles. The Paralympic Games follow from August 15 to August 27, 2028. Los Angeles is the third city to host the Summer Olympics three times, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984.
New Sports at LA 2028
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved four exciting new sports for LA 2028, each selected partly for their popularity in American culture:
- Flag Football — The non-contact variant of American football makes its Olympic debut. Six teams per gender will compete. The NFL and major college programs are backing athlete development worldwide.
- Cricket — T20 cricket returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. Six men’s and six women’s teams will battle for gold. India’s participation will make it one of the most-watched events.
- Lacrosse (Sixes) — The fast-paced six-on-six format replaces the traditional field variant, making lacrosse faster and more broadcast-friendly.
- Squash — Finally gets its Olympic moment after decades of lobbying. Individual and team events will be held.
- Baseball/Softball — Returns after being dropped following Beijing 2008. Both sports reunite at the same Games.
Venues
LA 2028 will use a mix of iconic existing venues and purpose-built facilities:
- SoFi Stadium — Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athletics
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — Athletics (historic 1932 and 1984 venue)
- Crypto.com Arena — Basketball, Boxing
- Rose Bowl — Football (soccer)
- Long Beach Arena — Volleyball, Weightlifting
- Santa Monica Beach — Beach volleyball, Surfing
- Staples Center surrounds — Swimming, Gymnastics
Competition will also extend to satellite cities including San Diego and San Francisco for certain events.
Athlete Quotas
LA 2028 is expected to welcome approximately 10,700 athletes from over 200 nations — the largest athlete quota in Olympic history. The IOC has committed to gender parity, with exactly 50% of spots reserved for women.
Broadcast and Streaming
NBC and Peacock hold the US broadcast rights, while global streaming deals will make LA 2028 the most-watched Olympics in history. The IOC’s own OTT platform will also carry select events.
The Medal Programme
LA 2028 will feature over 329 events across 32 sports, with approximately 1,800 medals to be won. The inclusion of new sports adds 26 new medal events compared to Paris 2024.
Key Dates
- Qualification period: Already underway for many sports (2025–2028)
- Torch relay: Begins May 2028, travels across the USA
- Opening Ceremony: July 14, 2028 at SoFi Stadium
- Closing Ceremony: July 30, 2028
What Makes LA 2028 Special
Beyond the sports, LA 2028 represents a pivotal moment for the Olympic Movement. After the challenging Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 without spectators) and the triumphal Paris 2024, Los Angeles has the opportunity to deliver the most commercially successful and culturally significant Games in the modern era.
The city’s entertainment industry, tech ecosystem, and diverse population make it uniquely positioned to showcase the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect to a new generation.
Stay with Medal & More for complete LA 2028 coverage — from qualification news to athlete profiles to medal predictions.
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