Los Angeles is preparing to welcome the Olympic Games for an unprecedented third time in 2028, marking a historic moment in sports history. The City of Angels will showcase more than 40 venues across its metropolitan area to host 36 different sports, creating an unparalleled athletic spectacle. What makes these Games truly revolutionary is the commitment to sustainability through the complete elimination of newly constructed permanent venues—a first in eight decades. This bold approach leverages Southern California's world-class sporting infrastructure while minimizing environmental impact and delivering a more intimate Games experience.
The LA28 organizing committee has embraced a legacy-first philosophy that sets a new standard for Olympic planning. By utilizing existing stadiums, arenas, and sporting facilities, Los Angeles becomes the first host city since the mid-20th century to forego building permanent Olympic-specific structures. This decision delivers substantial environmental benefits by reducing construction waste, lowering carbon emissions by an estimated 500,000 tons, and demonstrating unprecedented fiscal responsibility. The strategy transforms the region's already iconic locations into Olympic stages, from historic landmarks echoing with decades of athletic achievement to modern architectural marvels that define contemporary sports entertainment. This model could reshape how future host cities approach Olympic infrastructure.
The Olympic competition will unfold across nearly two dozen distinct zones, each offering multiple venues clustered for efficiency and atmosphere. The Downtown LA Zone represents the urban heart of the Games, featuring the Los Angeles Convention Center alongside legendary facilities like Dodger Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, and the Peacock Theater. This concentration creates a vibrant Olympic district where fans can experience multiple sports within walking distance, reducing transportation needs and creating a festival atmosphere.
South of downtown, the Exposition Park Zone forms another critical hub. This area unites the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—which has hosted two previous Olympic Games and will make history as the first venue to host three Summer Olympics—with newer additions including BMO Stadium and the Galen Center. The proximity of these venues establishes a walkable campus atmosphere that will enhance the spectator experience and create memorable moments of Olympic unity.
The coastal Long Beach Zone will accommodate seven different venues, taking advantage of the city's waterfront setting, established sporting facilities, and maritime heritage. Events like sailing, rowing, and beach volleyball will find perfect homes along this scenic stretch of coastline. Meanwhile, the Carson Zone emerges as a major multi-sport center, with four key sites concentrated in this suburban location, creating an efficient cluster for both athletes and spectators.
Several venues deserve special attention for their innovative roles in the 2028 Games. The facility currently known as BMO Stadium will be rebranded as Exposition Park Stadium during the Olympics. This 22,000-seat open-air venue, which opened in 2018 and serves as home to LAFC and Angel City FC, will host the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport and the return of lacrosse as a medal event for the first time since 1908. Its location adjacent to the Coliseum creates a powerful dual-venue hub that connects LA's Olympic past with its future, allowing spectators to easily move between historic and modern facilities.
In a surprising addition to the venue lineup, Venice Beach will serve as the spectacular backdrop for three endurance events: triathlon, marathon, and road cycling. Venice Boulevard will function as the transition area and finish line for the triathlon, with runners and cyclists traversing the iconic beachfront community. This inclusion came after advocacy from local officials and represents the first time this legendary neighborhood will award Olympic medals. The decision ensures that some of the first medals of the 2028 Games will be contested just hours after the Opening Ceremony, with the vibrant boardwalk, historic canals, and lively culture providing an unforgettable setting that captures LA's essence.
The Carson Velodrome stands as the largest indoor cycling track in the United States and will host track cycling and para track cycling competitions. Constructed adjacent to the site of the 1984 Olympic velodrome, this facility serves as the official Olympic and Paralympic training site and headquarters for the National Track Cycling Program. Carson's role extends beyond cycling to include field hockey, archery, para archery, rugby sevens, and tennis, making it one of the most versatile venue clusters in the Games and a model of multi-sport efficiency.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park deserves particular recognition as the only stadium to host Olympic ceremonies for three different Games. Its presence connects 2028 to the 1932 and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, creating a powerful narrative thread across nearly a century of Olympic history. Similarly, Pasadena's picturesque Rose Bowl returns to the Olympic stage, offering its storied setting for football competitions and continuing its legacy as one of America's most famous sporting venues.
Modern venues will also play starring roles. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with its revolutionary design, 70,000-seat capacity, and retractable roof, is expected to host major events including potentially the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The upcoming Intuit Dome, future home of the LA Clippers, will provide state-of-the-art facilities for basketball and other indoor sports. These venues demonstrate how Los Angeles seamlessly blends historical significance with cutting-edge infrastructure.
The venue plan thoughtfully distributes sports to maximize both athlete experience and spectator engagement. Flag football's Olympic premiere at Exposition Park Stadium introduces a globally popular sport to the world's biggest athletic stage, while lacrosse's return after a 120-year absence reconnects the Games with their historical roots. The Carson cluster's diverse facilities accommodate everything from the precision of archery to the speed of track cycling and the dynamic action of rugby sevens, with full Paralympic integration ensuring inclusive competition.
Water sports will dominate the Long Beach area, while gymnastics, basketball, and volleyball will find homes in existing arenas throughout the region. The marathon route will showcase LA's diversity, starting at Venice Beach and winding through multiple neighborhoods before finishing downtown. This sport-by-sport venue mapping ensures each discipline has optimal conditions while giving spectators variety and accessibility.
Los Angeles 2028 represents a paradigm shift in Olympic planning, proving that sustainability and spectacle can coexist magnificently. By harnessing existing venues across diverse zones—from downtown skyscrapers to beachfront boardwalks—the Games will deliver an intimate yet grand experience. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also ensures that the Olympic legacy is immediately integrated into the community's ongoing sporting life. As the world anticipates the 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles stands ready to demonstrate that the future of the Games lies in smart, sustainable utilization of existing treasures, setting a template for generations to come.