Los Angeles Olympics unveils sites for opening and closing events in 2028
Los Angelenos are in for a historical treat as two of the city's iconic sports venues take center stage for the 2028 Olympics. The hallowed grounds of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park and the brand-spanking-new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will share duty in hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremony for the 2028 Games.
It's a spectacle set to unfold on July 14, 2028, as the Opening Ceremony commences with both iconic venues playing a part. The LA Memorial Coliseum, which has previously been a backdrop for Olympics events in 1932 and 1984, and SoFi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, will contribute equally to this historic event. The Closing Ceremony, slated for July 30, 2028, will be hosted exclusively by the LA Memorial Coliseum, making it the first venue in history to host events for three Olympics.
Los Angeles' rich sporting history and cutting-edge future will be on full display during the Games, as these two extraordinary venues create an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide. LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman expressed, "These venues will provide a platform to showcase the very best that LA has to offer, welcoming fans from across the globe to an Olympic and Paralympic Games like never before, concluding what will go down as one of the most incredible Games in history."
The Paralympic Opening Ceremony, scheduled for August 15, 2028, will take place at SoFi Stadium, while the Closing Ceremony on August 27 will be at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The competition venues for the 2028 Olympics have become clearer in the past month, with locations for more than a dozen sports, like beach volleyball, surfing, and baseball, revealed. The updated list of Olympic venues, including LA Memorial Coliseum, Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, BMO Stadium, Los Angeles Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena, and several others, was presented to and approved by the International Olympic Committee last month.
The 2028 Olympics promises a plethora of new mixed-gender team events, setting a monumental milestone. The competition program features 6 new events, such as artistic gymnastics, athletics, golf, archery, coastal rowing beach sprint, and table tennis. The competition format for the artistic gymnastics mixed team event will be finalized and announced at a later date. Other additions include expansions to the field of women's soccer and water polo events, a new women's boxing weight class, an expanded 3x3 basketball field, and more medal events in swimming and sport climbing.
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, while lacrosse will return to the lineup for the first time in over a century. Baseball and softball will make their Olympic comeback, and cricket will be among the sports contested in Los Angeles. The medal events program for 2028 boasts 351 events, 22 more than Paris 2024, demonstrating the city's commitment to hosting an unprecedented Games.
- In 2028, the Paralympic Opening Ceremony will be held at SoFi Stadium, while the closing ceremony will take place at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
- LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman stated that these venues will provide a platform to showcase the best that LA has to offer during the 2028 Olympics.
- Flag football and lacrosse will make their Olympic debut in 2028, and cricket will be among the sports contested in Los Angeles.
- The Closing Ceremony, scheduled for July 30, 2028, will be hosted exclusively by the LA Memorial Coliseum, making it the first venue in history to host events for three Olympics.
