Los Angeles Olympics 2028 updates venue plans to save $150 million in costs and generate new revenue
The Los Angeles Olympics 2028 Committee has announced significant updates to its venue plans, projected to save and generate over $150 million.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is slated to take place from July 14 to July 30, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 15 to August 27. The changes in the venue master plan were made while keeping in mind the benefits such as sustainability, economic impact, and legacy.
The Chairperson of LA28, Casey Wasserman, shed light on these updates and their impact on the Games and its stakeholders.
“LA28’s updated venue plan will provide the ideal Hollywood stage for the world’s top athletes, and choosing from spectacular, existing venues, wherever they are, rather than building new permanent or temporary stadiums, achieves more than $150 million in savings and new revenue to help maintain a balanced budget. We look forward to partnering with these venues and their experienced operators and workforce to deliver an unparalleled experience for athletes and fans in 2028,” said Wasserman (via Olympics).
Athletics to move to the first week of Los Angeles Olympics 2028
The Los Angeles Olympics 2028, in accordance with both World Athletics and World Aquatics, have decided to adjust the traditional schedule. As per the updated schedule, Athletics will move to the first week, whereas swimming will occur the following week.
This change is in lieu of accommodating the other shifts in the venue master plan. Gymnastics will take place at the newly renovated Downtown LA Arena, and basketball events will be held at Inglewood's newest state-of-the-art Indoor Arena.
Swimming will be showcased at Inglewood's most advanced large pro sports stadium, the current home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers. This venue will be transformed to accommodate 38,000 spectators, making it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history.
The iconic LA Memorial Coliseum will host Athletics and Para Athletics, maintaining its historic status as the only stadium to host track and field events in three Olympic Games. The opening and closing ceremonies of Los Angeles Olympics 2028 will be split between the LA Memorial Coliseum and the Inglewood Stadium, in line with previous announcements.
The San Fernando Valley's Sepulveda Basin area will serve as the center for BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Skateboarding Park, and Street events. Archery for both Olympic and Paralympic Games will also take place here.
Diving events will return to the historic 1932 Pool in Exposition Park, the same pool used during the 1932 Olympic Games. Long Beach will host Artistic Swimming and Para Swimming, with additional sports to be announced later.
Equestrian and Para-Equestrian events in Los Angeles Olympics 2028 will move to an existing Temecula facility capable of accommodating all required disciplines. Shooting events will be relocated to one of two sport shooting clubs in Southern California, still to be determined.
Due to the lack of local venues for canoe slalom and a suitable large softball stadium, these events will be held at existing world-class venues in Oklahoma City. This decision aligns with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, which promotes the use of existing venues outside the host city’s region to avoid unnecessary construction.