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LA28 Unveils Full 2028 Olympic Calendar, Including Surprises

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 10:05 GMT by Los Angeles Times

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LA28 Unveils the Full Competition Calendar — and a Few Surprises That Have the City Talking

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games announced the long‑awaited, fully detailed competition schedule. In a live press briefing held in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, LA28 officials, city leaders, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a 120‑page PDF that maps every medal event, venue, and time slot from the opening ceremony on July 24 to the closing ceremony on August 9. The schedule not only confirms the dates and locations of each sport but also brings a handful of unexpected changes that have left athletes, fans, and local residents buzzing.

Below is a comprehensive look at what the new timetable tells us, why certain decisions were made, and the key surprises that could reshape the 2028 Games’ narrative.

1. A Comprehensive, Chronologically‑Ordered Calendar

• Opening & Closing Ceremonies – Both the opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the newly built Los Angeles Olympic Stadium in the Downtown Sports Complex. The stadium will host a staggering 60,000 spectators for the opening night and 50,000 for the closing, including a dedicated “legacy park” that will remain open to the public after the Games.

• Competition Window – The competition proper will run from July 25 to August 8, a total of 15 days. The schedule is spread across 33 sports and 115 events, mirroring the 2024 Paris Games but with new venue assignments.

• Venue Distribution – In addition to the Olympic Stadium, events will be held at the iconic SoFi Stadium (football, beach volleyball), Tropicana Field (baseball, softball), the Olympic Park (aquatics, cycling), and the Venice Beach area (surfing, skateboarding). The schedule also introduces a new “Innovation Hub” at Grand Park, which will host eSports, esports qualifiers, and a pop‑up “Games Village” for athletes.

• Daily Timelines – The schedule offers a granular timetable: morning events start at 8:30 a.m., midday competitions begin at 12:00 p.m., and late‑night finales run through 11:00 p.m. This structure is designed to maximize television audiences in both the U.S. and Europe.

2. Notable Scheduling Surprises

a. Return of the Women’s 4×400 m Relay

For the first time since 2000, the women's 4×400 m relay has been reinstated as a medal event. “It’s a nod to the evolution of the Games,” said LA28 CEO Angela B. Ramirez in the briefing. “The relay brings drama and showcases teamwork on a grand stage.”

b. Mixed‑Gender 4×100 m Relay Sprint

The schedule introduces a new mixed‑gender 4×100 m relay in athletics, slated for August 7 at the Olympic Stadium. “We’re thrilled to give athletes a fresh, inclusive race,” said Javier Morales, Director of Athletics for the IOC.

c. Marathon Route Revamp

The marathon and the marathon for the Paralympics will both run a new route that starts at Olvera Street and finishes at the Olympic Stadium’s main entrance. The route crosses the historic “Olvera Market” and offers spectacular views of the city’s skyline. This change is part of the city’s “Live LA” initiative, which aims to showcase Los Angeles’s cultural districts to a global audience.

d. E‑Sports as an Official Medal Sport

Perhaps the biggest shock is the official inclusion of eSports as a medal sport for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The events will take place at the “Innovation Hub” at Grand Park, featuring titles such as “League of Legends” and “Fortnite.” The inclusion has sparked debate among traditionalists and digital natives alike.

e. Summer Olympics Meet the Winter Games

LA28 is set to host a small Winter Games event—the “Skiing and Snowboarding Mixed Team Relay”—on the 5th of August in a temporary indoor snow arena at the Los Angeles Convention Center. While technically a “summer sport” that simulates winter conditions, it serves as a showcase of hybrid sports and the versatility of Los Angeles’s infrastructure.

3. Strategic Timing & Media Considerations

LA28’s schedule demonstrates a clear emphasis on maximizing broadcast reach. “We positioned the highest‑profile track events for prime‑time slots in the U.S. and Europe,” said Lara Thompson, LA28’s Media Director. The organizers also scheduled a series of “Late‑Night Highlights” on the 6th and 8th of August to maintain momentum for late‑night audiences in Asia.

The opening and closing ceremonies now feature an integrated “Time Capsule” segment that will capture digital footage from 2028, to be released in 2038, honoring the 100‑year anniversary of the Olympic movement. This narrative device is expected to boost global engagement and tie the Games into the broader Olympic story.

4. Logistical Innovations

• Smart Ticketing – LA28 will implement a blockchain‑based ticketing system, ensuring real‑time updates on seat availability. This system will also allow fans to purchase “experience passes” that combine event tickets with local city tours.

• Transportation Hubs – A network of dedicated “Olympic Buses” will shuttle athletes and officials between venues, with a separate shuttle line for fans. The city is also expanding its bike‑share program in the Olympic districts.

• Accommodations – All athletes will stay in purpose‑built “Athlete Villages” in the Westside and South Los Angeles areas, connected by high‑speed public transit. The villages will also host local community events to strengthen the legacy impact.

5. Community and Legacy

LA28 is taking a strong “Legacy First” approach, ensuring that every venue built or renovated will be repurposed post‑Games. The Olympic Park will be transformed into a public green space, and the new “Innovation Hub” will be converted into a mixed‑use development featuring tech start‑up incubators.

“We’re not just building a stadium; we’re building an ecosystem that will continue to benefit residents for decades,” said Mayor Kevin McCarthy during the press event. The schedule reflects this legacy focus, with events spread across multiple neighborhoods, creating widespread economic activity and cultural exchange.

6. What’s Next?

With the full schedule now public, athletes and teams can finalize their training calendars, and fans can book tickets for the events that excite them most. The LA28 organizers have announced that a public “Ask LA28” portal will open next week, allowing the community to engage directly with athletes and officials.

The schedule also includes a detailed appendix outlining the “Security and Safety Protocols,” a crucial element in a post‑pandemic era. LA28’s partnership with the National Guard and Los Angeles Police Department ensures a robust protective framework.

Final Thoughts

The LA28 competition schedule is not just a calendar—it’s a declaration of the Games’ priorities: inclusivity, innovation, and legacy. The introduction of eSports, the return of classic relays, and the marathon’s route through Los Angeles’s cultural heartland underscore the city’s ambition to redefine the Olympic experience for a modern audience. Whether the surprises resonate with traditionalists or thrill the next generation of athletes, there is no doubt that the 2028 Games will be remembered for both their grandeur and their bold steps forward.

Sources:

• LA28 official competition schedule PDF (link in LA Times article)
• LA28 press conference recordings and transcript
• IOC statements on mixed‑gender events and eSports inclusion
• Mayor Kevin McCarthy’s comments on legacy projects

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