Athletics and Swimming to Swap Weeks in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Schedule

In a significant update to its venue plan, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has announced adjustments expected to generate an estimated $156 million in savings and additional revenue. The revised plan introduces a new location for swimming competitions at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, boasting 38,000 seats and setting a record for the largest swimming venue in Olympic history. Additionally, basketball events will take place at Intuit Dome, also in Inglewood, while gymnastics will be hosted at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum retains its role as the athletics venue.

The Los Angeles Olympics, scheduled for July 14-30, 2028, will maintain its original plans for the opening and closing ceremonies, which will be held at both the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. This arrangement necessitates a shift in the traditional scheduling for athletics and swimming events. Athletics will now occur in the first week of the games, with swimming competitions slated for the second week. LA28 confirms that the governing bodies for both sports have endorsed this change.

Further diversifying the geographical footprint of the games, softball and canoe slalom events are set to be held in Oklahoma City. This move is attributed to the lack of a suitable canoe slalom venue in the region and a desire to utilize existing facilities, aligning with the International Olympic Committee's sustainability goals. The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in San Fernando Valley will welcome BMX freestyle and racing, skateboarding park and street competitions, and archery.

Diving events will return to the historic pool in Exposition Park that hosted aquatics in the 1932 Olympics, south of downtown Los Angeles. Long Beach is designated for artistic and para swimming competitions, with additional sports to be announced later. Equestrian and para equestrian events have been relocated to Temecula, approximately 1 1/2 hours from Los Angeles, offering a venue capable of hosting all disciplines in one location. Shooting sports are also under consideration for relocation outside Los Angeles to one of two potential sport shooting clubs.

Each venue change is projected to contribute at least $10 million towards economic improvements by reducing the need for temporary constructions and simplifying operations. These updates have been submitted to the city of Los Angeles for approval, as they involve moving some competitions outside the city's boundaries from the original venue plan proposed during the 2017 bid process. The introduction of several new stadiums and arenas since then has facilitated these adjustments.

The LA28 organizing committee's strategic venue shifts underscore a commitment to sustainability and economic efficiency while promising an innovative approach to hosting the Olympic Games. With these changes, LA28 aims to deliver an event that not only showcases premier athletic talent but also respects environmental considerations and community impact.