The Hollywood Olympics: What to Expect from Los Angeles 2028
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw to a close, the baton—or rather, the Olympic flag—is set to be passed to the next host city: Los Angeles. This will be LA’s third time hosting the Games, and the city is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. American spectators who enjoyed the Paris Games have high hopes for 2028, although some express concerns about whether Los Angeles can match the French capital’s impressive public transportation system.
Marisa, a proud LA resident, is confident that her city will infuse the Olympics with a touch of “Hollywood glamour.” However, she acknowledges that Paris has set an exceptionally high standard.
As the countdown to LA 2028 begins, here’s what we currently know about the upcoming Games, which will also mark the city’s first time hosting the Paralympics.
When and Where Will the Events Take Place?
The Los Angeles Olympics will kick off on 14 July 2028, with the closing ceremony scheduled for 30 July. The Paralympics will follow, with their opening ceremony on 15 August and closing on 27 August. Over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports will be contested across more than 800 events.
LA has been keen to highlight its sustainability efforts, with organizers emphasizing that no new permanent structures will be built for the Games. Instead, the city will repurpose existing venues. The historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which hosted events in both 1932 and 1984, will once again be the stage for athletics.
Beach volleyball is expected to take place on the actual beach, taking full advantage of LA’s iconic coastline—something Paris couldn’t offer. Other venues, such as SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, will undergo temporary transformations, like the addition of an Olympic swimming pool.
Student housing at UCLA will be converted into the athletes’ village, providing accommodation and training facilities for the competitors.
However, one of the biggest challenges for LA will be achieving the “car-free” Games it promised when it won the bid in 2017. Transporting thousands of spectators across the sprawling city will be no small feat, especially after plans for a significant rail upgrade fell through. Organizers are now pinning their hopes on an expanded bus fleet to reduce the reliance on cars.
The projected cost of hosting the Games is nearly $7 billion, not including any additional transportation infrastructure upgrades.
Which Sports Are In and Out?
LA 2028 will see the return of some long-absent sports and the debut of others. Cricket, last seen in the Olympics in 1900, will make a comeback in its T20 format, with Great Britain expected to field a strong team.
Lacrosse, a sport with deep roots in North America, will also return after more than a century, featuring a new six-player format.
Baseball and softball, popular bat-and-ball sports, will be back after being excluded from Paris 2024. Squash, after years of lobbying, will make its Olympic debut.
Another exciting addition is flag football, a non-contact version of American football that’s rapidly growing in popularity, especially in the UK.
On the Paralympic side, paraclimbing will debut, challenging athletes to scale a 15-meter wall using hand-holds.
Surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, which were introduced recently, will continue in 2028, but breaking (a form of street dance) will not, much to the disappointment of its fans.
The Athletes to Watch
Some of the standout athletes from Paris 2024 are likely to shine again in Los Angeles. British runner Keely Hodgkinson, who claimed gold in the women’s 800m, will be 26 and in her prime. French swimmer Léon Marchand, a sensation with four gold medals in Paris, will also be 26 and ready to defend his titles.
Skateboarding will continue to feature young talents, like China’s Zheng Haohao and Britain’s Sky Brown, both of whom impressed in Paris. Sky Brown, twice an Olympic bronze medallist, will be just 20 years old in 2028 and could switch to surfing for the LA Games.
The participation of some global stars is still up in the air. Simone Biles, who took center stage in Paris, will be 31 by the time of the LA Games. Although few gymnasts compete at that age, Biles might be tempted to perform in front of a home crowd.
Newly crowned men’s 100m champion Noah Lyles will also be 31 but could still be in peak condition to defend his title. However, Team GB might see a changing of the guard, with swimmer Adam Peaty hinting that Paris was his last Olympics and diver Tom Daley contemplating retirement. Yet, rower Helen Glover has not ruled out competing in LA, which would be her fourth Olympics at the age of 42.
The Los Angeles Perspective
LA residents are excited but also anxious about the challenges of hosting the Olympics. The city is known for its heavy traffic and subpar public transit, and many had hoped the Games would drive improvements. However, with plans for an extensive rail network shelved in favor of buses, locals like Cory are worried about how the city will handle the influx of tourists.
Los Angeles also has a significant homelessness problem, and some residents hope the Olympics will serve as a catalyst for finding long-term solutions.
While LA may not have the historical landmarks of Paris, it has its own unique appeal. Elisha, another local, believes that Hollywood’s magic can make the LA Games unforgettable.
Looking Back: Los Angeles 1984 and 1932
The last time Los Angeles hosted the Olympics was in 1984, a time when Prince dominated the US music charts, and the Soviet Union boycotted the Games. Great Britain won five gold medals, with athletes like decathlete Daley Thompson and javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson leading the charge.
Carl Lewis, an American track and field superstar, stole the show with four gold medals, solidifying his place in Olympic history.
The 1932 Olympics, held during the Great Depression, saw fewer competitors but drew massive crowds. It was also the year the now-iconic medal podium made its debut.
As Los Angeles gears up for its third Olympic adventure, the city’s blend of Hollywood glamour and sporting excellence promises to create a truly memorable event.
