The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has announced significant changes to its venue plan, aiming to generate an estimated $156 million in combined savings and revenue increases. The alterations include hosting swimming at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which will become the largest swimming venue in Olympic history with its 38,000 seats. Basketball will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, while gymnastics will be held at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. Athletics will continue at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 14-30, 2028. The opening and closing ceremonies will remain as planned, with portions hosted at both the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. This adjustment will impact the traditional schedule for athletics and swimming, with athletics moving to the first week and swimming to the second week of the games. Both sports' governing bodies have approved and endorsed this change.
Softball and canoe slalom events will be relocated to Oklahoma City to avoid constructing temporary venues and align with the International Olympic Committee's sustainability focus. The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area will host BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding, and archery events. Diving will take place at the same pool used for aquatics in the 1932 Olympics in Exposition Park, while Long Beach will host artistic and para swimming competitions.
Equestrian and para equestrian competitions will move to an existing facility in Temecula, 1 1/2 hours from Los Angeles, capable of accommodating all disciplines in one location. Shooting and shooting para sport competitions will also shift to sport shooting clubs outside Los Angeles. Each venue change is expected to result in at least a $10 million economic improvement by reducing the need for temporary stadium builds and operations.
The updated venue assignments have been submitted to the city of Los Angeles for approval, as some competitions will now take place outside the city's boundaries. The original venue plan was created in 2017 during the bid process, but the availability of new stadiums and arenas prompted the recent adjustments.
For more information on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, visit AP Olympics.
