LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Venue Masterplan Updated

The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to take place in some of the most iconic and advanced venues in Los Angeles and beyond, with a series of updates provided last week:

Key Venue Updates

• Gymnastics will be hosted at the newly renovated Downtown LA Arena, the home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, National Hockey Leagues’s Kings, and Women’s National Basketballm Association’s Sparks.
• Basketball will take place at the state-of-the-art Indoor Arena in Inglewood, future home of the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Clippers.
• Swimming will be held at the nation’s most advanced pro sports stadium in Inglewood, home to the National Football League’s LA Rams and LA Chargers, with a planned seating capacity of 38,000, making it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history.
• Athletics and Para Athletics will continue at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum, the only stadium to host track and field competitions at three Olympic Games.

To accommodate these changes, both World Athletics and World Aquatics have approved a schedule adjustment. Athletics will be held in the first week, while swimming competitions will take place in the second week of the Games.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies remain unchanged, with events hosted at both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Inglewood Stadium.

The San Fernando Valley will be a vibrant hub for youthful and high-energy sports like BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, and Skateboarding, all set in the Sepulveda Basin area, which will also host Archery events for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Diving will return to the historic 1932 Pool in Exposition Park, a legacy venue for the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

Long Beach will host Artistic Swimming and Para Swimming, with additional sports to be announced.

Equestrian and Para Equestrian events will be relocated to an existing facility in Temecula, the only venue in Southern California capable of hosting all required disciplines.

Shooting and Shooting Para Sport competitions will be held at one of two sport shooting clubs in Southern California, to be determined.

Oklahoma Venue Collaboration

Southern California lacks facilities for Canoe Slalom and a large enough Softball venue. Thus, LA28 will leverage existing world-class venues in Oklahoma City, aligning with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 to use existing infrastructure and achieve cost savings.

Oklahoma City’s canoe slalom and softball stadiums, built to international standards and supported by a robust local sports community, will provide a high-quality experience for athletes and fans, contributing to LA28’s goal of a balanced budget.

Benefits of the Updated Venue Plan

Casey Wasserman, Chairperson of LA28, stated, “The Olympic and Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of athletic competition and achievement. Hosting the Games in some of the greatest stadiums and arenas ever built ensures an unparalleled experience for athletes and fans alike.”

The updated venue plan aims to save over USD 150 million by utilizing existing venues, reducing the need for new construction, and enhancing long-term legacy opportunities for local communities. These venues will continue to serve the community long after the Games, supporting future sports events and activities.

All proposed changes have been assessed and approved by the respective International Federations and the IOC Executive Board, pending LA City Council approval. Additional venue changes and details on new sports and disciplines will be announced in due course.

The LA28 Olympic Games will take place from 14 to 30 July 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games from 15 to 27 August.

For more information, visit la28.org.