Introduction to LA 2028’s Competition Schedule
The Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee has released the initial preview of the competition schedule for the upcoming Olympic Games. The opening ceremony will take place at two venues: the Coliseum and the SoFi Stadium.
Swimming Finale and Coliseum Closing Ceremony
Swimming will be the final competition, and the grand event will conclude with a ceremony at the Coliseum.
Pre-Opening Ceremony Competitions
Several sports will begin their qualifying rounds before the opening ceremony, including cricket. This sport returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1900.
Flag Football Debut and NFL Training Camps
In its Olympic debut, flag football will be contested during the first week of competition (July 15-22) at the BMO Stadium. This advanced competition may help avoid potential scheduling conflicts with NFL training camps. Active NFL players can participate in trials for national Olympic teams, though training camps typically start at the end of July.
Star Swimming, Track and Field, and Artistic Gymnastics
The star swimming, track and field, and artistic gymnastics events will dominate prime-time slots in the United States with the Games returning to American soil for the first time since 1996.
Early-Starting Sports
Hockey on turf, basketball, rugby sevens, water polo, handball, and cricket will be the first sports to commence, two days before the opening ceremony.
Declining Olympic Audience in the US
The audience for the Olympics in the United States has dwindled between 2018 and 2022, partly due to three consecutive Games in Asian countries complicating time-zone adjustments.
First Medal for Los Angeles 2028 and Venice Beach Triathlon
The first medal for Los Angeles 2028 will be awarded in triathlon on July 15 at Venice Beach. Swimming will close the Games, with final races on July 30 (Day 16) at the SoFi Stadium, which will be known as the Estadio 2028 during the Games.
Busiest Day on the Olympic Podium
July 29 (Day 15) will be the busiest day on the Olympic podium, with 16 team sports gold and bronze medal games and 19 individual contests.
Detailed Schedule and Volunteer Opportunities
LA28 has announced that it will publish a more detailed schedule, including medal-winning events and gender order, by the end of the year. The committee recently unveiled its eighth sponsorship agreement for the year, with Uber and Uber Eats as official partners for shared rides and home deliveries, respectively. The private organizing group plans to release volunteer opportunities information this year, and ticket lottery registration should start in early 2026.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the first sport to start in LA 2028? Hockey on turf, basketball, rugby sevens, water polo, handball, and cricket will commence two days before the opening ceremony.
- When and where will the opening ceremony take place? The opening ceremony will occur at both the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium.
- What new sport is making its Olympic debut in LA 2028? Flag football will be contested during the first week of competition.
- When and where will swimming’s final events be held? Swimming’s final races will take place on July 30 at the SoFi Stadium, known as Estadio 2028 during the Games.
- What factors have contributed to the decline in Olympic viewership in the US? The consecutive Games held in Asian countries between 2018 and 2022 have complicated time-zone adjustments for US audiences.
- What is the busiest day on the Olympic podium in LA 2028? July 29 (Day 15) will feature 16 team sports gold and bronze medal games along with 19 individual contests.
