Los Angeles to Host 2028 Olympics with Dual‑Venue Ceremonies and Expanded Sports Lineup

Los Angeles is set to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic Games, marking the city’s historic third time as host and introducing a host of new sports and expanded medal events.

Olympic Schedule and Venues

The 2028 Olympic Games will open on July 14, 2028, with competition running through July 30. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will host the opening and closing ceremonies in a dual‑venue celebration. The Paralympic Games will begin on August 15 and finish on August 27. The first competition day, July 12, will feature field hockey, basketball, rugby sevens, water polo, handball and cricket. The official start of the Games, Day 1, is July 15. Track and field will compete at the Coliseum in the first week, while swimming will move to SoFi Stadium in the second week, swapping their usual schedules. Marathons will still take place on the final weekend.

Ticket Registration and Draw Process

On January 14, 2026, the LA28 ticketing portal will open for the first time in the Olympic cycle. Registrants must create a profile and will be entered into a random draw that assigns them a specific time slot during which they can purchase tickets. The time slot will be communicated by email. Single tickets will start at $28. Los Angeles residents and people in the Oklahoma City region, the venue for softball and canoe slalom, will have a chance to secure a slot during a special early‑access window.

Competition Schedule and Unusual Swaps

The competition schedule released by LA28 reveals a series of firsts. The Games will begin two days before the opening ceremony with a slate of team sports. Track and field and swimming will swap their traditional order: the former will be staged at the Coliseum in week one, the latter at SoFi Stadium in week two. The first medal will be awarded in triathlon on Day 1 at Venice Beach. July 29, Day 15, will be the busiest podium day, featuring 16 gold and bronze events in team sports and 19 individual medal events. Marathons will remain on the final weekend.

Medal Events and New Sports

LA28’s approved program includes 351 medal events, 22 more than Paris 2024. The Games will add mixed‑team competitions in artistic gymnastics, athletics (4×100 mixed‑gender relay), golf, archery (compound bow), coastal rowing beach sprint and table tennis. The format for the new artistic gymnastics mixed‑team event will be finalized and announced later. Women’s soccer and water polo will see expanded fields, a new women’s boxing weight class will be introduced, and 3×3 basketball will be expanded. Additional medal events will be added in swimming and sport climbing.

Mixed Team Events and Expansions

Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport in 2028, and lacrosse will return to the medal program for the first time in more than a century. Baseball and softball will make their Olympic comeback, and cricket will also be part of the lineup. The opening ceremony will be held at both the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium, while the Paralympic opening ceremony will take place at SoFi Stadium and the closing ceremony at the Coliseum.

Key Takeaways

• LA28 will open on July 14 and close on July 30, with the Paralympics following from August 15–27.
• The ticket draw launches January 14, 2026, with single tickets starting at $28 and early‑access for LA residents and Oklahoma City region.
• The Games feature 351 medal events, 22 more than Paris 2024, including new mixed‑team events and the debut of flag football.

Los Angeles is poised to deliver a memorable Olympic experience, blending tradition with innovation. From the historic dual‑venue ceremonies to the expanded roster of sports, the 2028 Games promise to captivate athletes and fans worldwide.