Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: The Definitive Guide 🏅🇺🇸
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games promise to be the most innovative and spectacular in history. For the third time hosting the Olympics (1932, 1984, and now 2028), the City of Angels will transform its iconic venues into world-class competition arenas — without building any new permanent arenas.
From July 14 to 30, 2028, more than 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete for medals in 32 sports, including 5 debuting events. And Brazil has extremely strong medal contenders.
This is the most complete guide you will find about LA28. We have updated it with all available information as of February 2026.
📅 Dates and Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Preliminary competitions | July 12, 2028 |
| Opening Ceremony | July 14, 2028 |
| First medal | July 15 (Women's Triathlon) |
| Flag Football debut | July 15 (Day 1) |
| Closing Ceremony | July 30, 2028 |
| Paralympics | August 2028 |
Schedule novelty: For the first time ever, track and field will be held during the first week and swimming during the second week — a historic reversal compared to every previous Olympics.
🆕 5 New Sports: Flag Football, Cricket and More
The main attraction of LA28 is the 5 new sports entering the Olympic program. Three of them are absolute debuts, and two are returns after decades of absence:
🏈 Flag Football — Absolute debut
A more accessible, non-contact version of American football. Instead of tackles, players "capture" the opponent by pulling a flag attached to their hip. It is dynamic, inclusive, and popular globally — with more than 20 million players across 100 countries.
- Why it was included: The global popularization of the NFL and the desire to bring American football to the world without the violence of the traditional sport
- Where: BMO Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Fun fact: It was highlighted during Super Bowl 2026 as a new Olympic sport
🏏 Cricket (T20) — Returns after 128 years
Cricket returns to the Olympic Games after a 128-year absence — its last appearance was at Paris 1900. The chosen format is T20, which is shorter and more dynamic (each match lasts about 3 hours).
- Why it was included: It is the second most popular sport in the world (2.5 billion fans, behind only football/soccer), especially in India, Pakistan, and Australia
- Impact: Its inclusion could generate record-breaking audiences in India, the largest sports market in the world by volume
🏸 Squash — Absolute debut
A racket sport played on an enclosed court. Fast, technical, and present in more than 150 countries.
- Why it was included: After decades of lobbying, it was finally accepted. It is a complete sport (cardio, reflexes, strategy)
- Where: Universal Studios Hollywood (Comcast Squash Center) — yes, inside the theme park!
- Fun fact: It will be played on a transparent glass court for the audience
🥍 Lacrosse (Sixes) — Returns after 120 years
Lacrosse returns after being an Olympic sport in 1904 and 1908. The Sixes format (6 players per team, smaller field) is faster than the traditional version.
- Origin: A sport with roots in Indigenous North American cultures, which gives special cultural significance to its inclusion
- Powerhouses: The USA and Canada dominate, but the sport is growing in Europe and Asia
⚾ Baseball/Softball — Returns since 2020
They return to the program after Tokyo 2020. These are sports with enormous tradition in the USA, Japan, South Korea, and Cuba.
- Where: Dodger Stadium (baseball) — one of the most iconic stadiums in the world
- Fun fact: Dodger Stadium is the largest baseball stadium in the world (56,000 seats)
��️ Iconic Competition Venues
One of the hallmarks of LA28 is the use of already existing venues — no post-Olympic white elephants. The venues are legendary:
| Venue | Sport(s) | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Track & Field + Ceremonies | Only stadium to host 3 Olympics (1932, 1984, 2028) |
| SoFi Stadium | Swimming + Opening Ceremony | Home of the LA Rams and Chargers (NFL) |
| Crypto.com Arena | Artistic Gymnastics | Home of the Lakers and Clippers (NBA) |
| Rose Bowl | Football/Soccer | 90,000-seat stadium in Pasadena |
| Dodger Stadium | Baseball | The largest in baseball (56,000) |
| BMO Stadium | Flag Football + Lacrosse | Home of LAFC (MLS) |
| Universal Studios | Squash | First Olympic competition in a theme park |
| Riviera Country Club | Golf | One of the most traditional courses in the USA |
| Long Beach | Canoeing, Rowing, Sailing | Water sports on the Pacific coast |
| Venice Beach | Triathlon (1st medal!) | LA's iconic beach |
🇧🇷 Brazilian Athletes: The Medal Favorites
Brazil arrives at LA28 with a talented generation, mixing established veterans and young prodigies:
Gold favorites
| Athlete | Sport | Why they are favored |
|---|---|---|
| Rebeca Andrade | Artistic Gymnastics | Brazil's greatest Olympic medalist. 6 Olympic medals. Seeks to extend the record |
| Rayssa Leal | Street Skateboarding | Greatest Street League champion. Medalist in Tokyo and Paris |
| Ana Patricia and Duda | Beach Volleyball | Olympic champions in Paris 2024. Dominant duo |
| Hugo Calderano | Table Tennis | World No. 3. Won the World Cup of the sport |
| Bia Souza | Judo | Olympic medalist. Powerhouse in the heavyweight category |
Dark horses and rising stars
| Athlete | Sport | Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Julia Soares | Artistic Gymnastics | Rebeca's heir. Young talent with explosive ability |
| Augusto Akio | Park Skateboarding | Paris medalist. Technical and creative style |
| Sophia Medina | Surfing | Heir to the Medina family legacy in world surfing |
| Mafe Costa | Swimming | Brazil's greatest swimming prospect |
| Renan Gallina | Athletics 200m | Only 20 years old, impressive speed |
| Marcus D'Almeida | Archery | World vice-champion, refined technique |
| Alison dos Santos (Piu) | 400m Hurdles | Olympic medalist, chasing gold |
Qualification: How it works
The 2026-2027 qualification cycle is decisive. Each sport has different criteria:
- Judo: World ranking (best 6 results over 2 years)
- Shooting: Top 3 at the 2026/2027 World Championships
- Surfing: Combination of ISA and WSL rankings (under debate)
- Track and Field: World Rankings + technical standards
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket sales are expected to begin in April 2026. Registration for the lottery is already open on the la28.org website.
| Tier | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| General admission | US$ 30-50 |
| Ceremonies | US$ 300-5,000+ |
| Popular finals | US$ 100-500 |
| Premium finals (100m dash, gymnastics) | US$ 1,000-10,000+ |
♻️ Sustainability and Innovation
LA28 aims to be the most sustainable Olympics in history:
- Zero new arenas: Exclusive use of existing infrastructure
- Gender equality: For the first time, all team sports will have an equal number of men's and women's teams
- Technology: AI for broadcasting, athlete monitoring via wearables (partnership with OURA)
- Transportation: Massive investment in the LA metro system (line extensions)
- Security: Classified as a "National Special Security Event" by the US government
📊 LA28 by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | July 14-30, 2028 |
| Sports | 32 (5 new) |
| Events | 329 |
| Athletes | ~10,500 |
| Countries | 206 |
| Venues | 14+ venues in L.A. County |
| Estimated audience | 4+ billion (TV + streaming) |
| Estimated cost | US$ 6.9 billion |
| New arenas built | 0 (zero) |
| Times L.A. hosts | 3rd (1932, 1984, 2028) |
🏛️ The Olympic History of Los Angeles: 1932, 1984, and 2028
Los Angeles is not just another host city — it is the Olympic capital of the United States. No other American city has hosted the Games as many times, and each edition marked a turning point in the history of the Olympic movement.
Los Angeles 1932: Innovation During the Great Depression
In the midst of the Great Depression, Los Angeles dared to host the Summer Olympic Games. Many countries could not send full delegations due to lack of resources — only 37 nations participated, less than half of the 46 that attended Amsterdam 1928. Even so, the edition was revolutionary.
It was in 1932 that the first Olympic Village in history was built, constructed in Baldwin Hills to house male athletes (women stayed in a separate hotel). It was also the first time that electronic timing and photo-finish technology were used to determine results — technologies that became standard in every subsequent edition. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, inaugurated in 1923, hosted its first Olympic opening ceremony, with more than 100,000 spectators.
Los Angeles 1984: The Olympics That Changed the Financial Game
If 1932 was about technical innovation, 1984 was about financial innovation. After the economic disaster of Montreal 1976 — which left the Canadian city in debt for 30 years — no city wanted to host the Games. Los Angeles applied virtually alone and handed the project to Peter Ueberroth, a visionary businessman.
Ueberroth transformed the Games into a profitable event for the first time in history. He sold exclusive sponsorship rights to major brands (Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Visa), negotiated billion-dollar television contracts, and reused existing infrastructure instead of building from scratch. The result? A profit of US$ 215 million — something unthinkable at the time.
On the sporting front, the edition was marked by the Soviet boycott (retaliation for the American boycott of Moscow 1980) and the legendary performances of Carl Lewis, who won 4 gold medals in track and field (100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay), matching Jesse Owens' feat from 1936. Gymnast Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to win gold in the all-around, with a perfect 10 on the vault.
2028: The Legacy Continues
LA28 inherits this tradition of innovation. Just like in 1984, the organization is betting on zero new permanent constructions, reusing iconic venues. The Coliseum will be the only stadium in the world to host three Olympic opening ceremonies — a feat that will likely never be matched. The city wants to prove that it is possible to hold Games that are grand, sustainable, and profitable all at once.
📺 Broadcasting and How to Watch
Following the 2028 Olympics will be more accessible than ever, with multiple broadcasting platforms and real-time coverage available worldwide.
Where to Watch
In Brazil, TV Globo holds the free-to-air broadcast rights, ensuring free coverage of the main competitions, ceremonies, and finals featuring Brazilian athletes. SporTV, the subscription channel from the Globo group, offers expanded coverage with multiple simultaneous channels — allowing viewers to follow different sports at the same time. For those who prefer streaming, Globoplay is expected to offer live streams and on-demand replays, with the option to choose which sport to watch.
For viewers in the United States, NBC and Peacock (NBCUniversal's streaming platform) will be the primary options, with complete coverage of all events. The expectation is that LA28 will be the Olympics with the largest volume of streaming content ever produced, with broadcasts in 8K resolution for selected events.
Time Zone: Pay Attention to the Schedule
A crucial detail for international fans is the time zone difference. Los Angeles operates on UTC-7 (Pacific Time), while Brasilia time is UTC-3. This means LA is 4 hours behind Brazil.
In practice: an event scheduled for 8:00 PM (8pm) in Los Angeles takes place at midnight (12:00 AM) Brasilia time. Evening finals in LA — which are the most competitive — will require Brazilian fans to stay up until the early morning hours. On the other hand, morning competitions in LA (starting at 9:00 AM) happen at 1:00 PM in Brazil, a much more comfortable time.
For viewers in Europe, the time difference is even greater: LA is 8 hours behind London (BST) and 9 hours behind Central European Time. Morning events in LA will air in the late afternoon and evening in Europe.
Tips to Not Miss Anything
- Download the official Olympic Games app (available for iOS and Android) to receive real-time notifications about results and medals
- Follow your national Olympic committee on social media — Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok — for behind-the-scenes content and exclusive athlete updates
- Set up Google alerts for the names of your favorite athletes, so you receive instant notifications when they compete
- Create a personalized calendar with the times of the finals that interest you most, already converted to your local time zone
- Consider watching in groups — the Olympics are more fun when shared, and the time difference can turn into an "Olympic marathon" among friends
🔒 Security, Logistics, and Challenges of LA28
Organizing an Olympics in a metropolis of 13 million inhabitants (metropolitan area) brings enormous logistical challenges. LA28 faces unique issues ranging from the city's legendary traffic to climate risks.
Security: Post-9/11 Protocols
The Los Angeles 2028 Games have been classified by the US government as an NSSE (National Special Security Event) — the same designation given to presidential inaugurations and G7 summits. This means the Secret Service takes over the overall coordination of security, working alongside the FBI, LAPD, National Guard, and intelligence agencies.
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, security protocols at major events in the US have been drastically expanded. For LA28, the massive use of AI surveillance, monitoring drones, facial recognition, and no-fly zones over competition venues is expected. Cybersecurity is also a central concern — the Tokyo 2020 Olympics suffered more than 450 million attempted cyberattacks, and LA28 is expected to face even more sophisticated threats.
Traffic: Los Angeles' Greatest Challenge
If there is one thing Los Angeles is world-famous for (besides Hollywood), it is chaotic traffic. The city was built for cars, with a massive freeway network that gets congested daily. For the Games, the city is investing more than US$ 3 billion in metro expansion, including new lines and stations connecting the main Olympic venues.
Additionally, exclusive Olympic lanes are planned on major roads, similar to those used in London 2012. The local government also plans to encourage remote work during the two weeks of the Games, asking companies to allow employees to work from home and reduce vehicle flow. Ride-sharing apps and dedicated bus systems will complete the mobility strategy.
Accommodation: No Traditional Olympic Village
In an unprecedented decision in modern Games history, LA28 will not build a traditional Olympic Village. Instead, athletes will be housed in the dormitories of UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and USC (University of Southern California). Both universities are just a few miles from the main competition venues and offer high-level infrastructure — dining halls, training areas, and common spaces.
This decision reduces costs and avoids building structures that often end up abandoned after the Games (as happened in Athens 2004 and Rio 2016). However, it raises questions about the athlete experience, as competitors traditionally value the camaraderie of the Olympic Village as an essential part of the Olympic spirit.
Climate: Heat and Wildfire Risk
July in Los Angeles is hot — average temperatures stay above 86°F (30°C), and can exceed 104°F (40°C) during heat waves. This is especially concerning for outdoor events like the marathon, race walking, cycling, and triathlon, where the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion is real.
The organization is studying alternative schedules for endurance events (starting at 6:00 AM) and cooling stations along the courses. Another seasonal risk is wildfires, which are common in Southern California during the summer. Although competition venues are in urban areas, smoke from distant fires can affect air quality — something that has already happened at previous sporting events in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?
From July 14 to 30, 2028. Preliminary competitions begin on July 12. The opening ceremony will be co-hosted by the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium.
What are the 5 new sports at the 2028 Olympics?
Flag football, cricket (T20), squash, lacrosse (sixes), and baseball/softball. The first three are absolute debuts; lacrosse and baseball/softball are returns.
When do ticket sales begin?
The forecast is April 2026. Registration for the lottery is already open at la28.org.
What is the LA28 mascot?
The official mascot has not yet been announced (expected in 2027). Popular suggestions include a mountain lion (puma) or a saber-toothed tiger. The mascot for LA 1984 was Sam the Olympic Eagle.
Where will swimming take place at the 2028 Olympics?
At SoFi Stadium (home of the LA Rams/NFL), which will be converted into an aquatic center. Swimming takes place during the second week — a historic reversal.
Which athletes are favorites at LA 2028?
Top contenders include Rebeca Andrade (gymnastics), Rayssa Leal (skateboarding), Ana Patricia/Duda (beach volleyball), Hugo Calderano (table tennis), Bia Souza (judo), and Alison dos Santos (400m hurdles) from Brazil, along with global stars across all 32 sports.
Sources and References
- LA28 — Official Website
- Olympics.com — Los Angeles 2028
- COB — Brazilian Olympic Committee
- Forbes — New Sports
- CNN — Athletes
Last updated: February 17, 2026
About the Author
Hercules Gobbi is a writer and sports enthusiast who has been covering the Olympics since London 2012. He closely follows the preparation of Brazilian athletes for each Olympic cycle.
