If you’re waiting to see the Olympic rings back on American soil, you’ve basically got a front-row seat to a massive decade for U.S. sports. It’s been a long time. Too long, honestly. The last time the United States hosted a Summer Games, Bill Clinton was in the White House and everyone was listening to "Macarena."
So, let's get straight to it. The next Olympic Games in America will be the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. The Opening Ceremony is officially set for July 14, 2028. The Games will run until July 30, 2028. If you’re a planner, that’s your target. But there’s a lot more to the story than just one date in Southern California. The U.S. is actually entering a "Golden Era" of hosting that includes not just LA, but a return to the winter snow a few years later.
Why the 2028 Summer Games are a big deal
Los Angeles is about to join a very elite club. By the time the flame is lit in 2028, LA will be one of only three cities to ever host the Olympics three times (joining London and Paris). They did it in 1932 and 1984.
This time around, things look a little different. For starters, the organizers aren't building any new permanent venues. It’s kind of a "no-build" Games. They’re using what’s already there—and in LA, what’s already there is world-class. We're talking about the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum making history as the first stadium to be used in three different Olympics.
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But here is the twist: while it's "the LA Olympics," it's not just in LA. Because of the scale of the event, they’re spreading things out.
- Softball and Canoe Slalom are actually happening in Oklahoma City. Why? Because LA didn't have the specific high-level facilities needed for those sports, and it’s way cheaper and more sustainable to fly athletes to Oklahoma than to build a massive whitewater rapids course in the middle of a California drought.
- Swimming is going to be held inside SoFi Stadium. Yes, the massive NFL stadium. They are literally going to build a temporary Olympic-sized pool on the field where the Rams and Chargers play. It'll be the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, holding about 38,000 fans.
When is the next olympic games in america for winter sports?
If you’re more into skiing than sprinting, you have to wait a little longer, but the news is good. On July 24, 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah last hosted in 2002. Anyone who was there remembers how the whole state basically turned into one giant party. The 2034 Games are tentatively scheduled for February 10–26, 2034.
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The cool thing about Salt Lake City is that they’ve kept almost all their venues from 2002 in perfect condition. Places like Park City, Snowbasin, and the Utah Olympic Park are still used for training every single day. It’s arguably the most "ready" Olympic host city in the world.
New sports you'll see in 2028
The LA28 lineup is going to look a bit different than what you saw in Paris or Tokyo. The host city always gets to propose a few "local" favorites. For 2028, we are getting:
- Flag Football: This is huge. It’s the first time American football (even the non-contact version) will be a medal sport.
- Squash: Finally making its debut after years of lobbying.
- Cricket: Returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1900.
- Lacrosse: specifically the "Sixes" format.
- Baseball/Softball: Making a triumphant return because, well, it's America.
Real talk: Tickets and Logistics
If you want to go, you need to start thinking about it now. Honestly, the demand is going to be absurd.
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Registration for the LA28 ticket draw actually opened on January 14, 2026. If you haven't signed up on the official LA28 website yet, you're already behind. They use a lottery system to keep it "fair," though "fair" usually means "good luck getting the gymnastics finals."
Prices are expected to start at around $28 (a nod to the year 2028), but let’s be real—the high-demand events will cost hundreds, if not thousands.
Transportation in LA is also the "elephant in the room." The city is promising a "Transit First" Games. This means they want everyone to use buses and trains rather than cars. For a city famous for its gridlock, that’s a bold claim. They are pouring billions into the LA Metro to get it ready. If you’re planning to stay in Santa Monica but watch events in Anaheim, you’ll want to map out those train lines well in advance.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Sign up for the Ticket Draw: Go to the official LA28 website and get your name in the system today. This is the only way to get legitimate, face-value tickets.
- Check the Venue Map: Don't just book a hotel in "Los Angeles." If you love Track and Field, you want to be near Exposition Park. If you're there for Volleyball, you might actually want to be in Anaheim. The "LA Games" are spread across 50 miles.
- Budget for 2027 Bookings: Most airlines and hotels don't let you book until about 11–12 months out. Mark August 2027 on your calendar as the "go time" for flights and accommodations.
- Volunteer Applications: If you want to be there for free (and work hard), the volunteer portal typically opens about 18 months before the Games. Expect that around early 2027.
The 2028 Games aren't just a sports event; they're a massive logistical puzzle that will change the face of the West Coast for a month. Whether you're there for the new flag football debut or the classic 100m sprint, the clock is officially ticking.