On the Road to Los Angeles 2028: The Countdown Begins for the Greatest Sporting Celebration on the Planet

By Helen Acevedo.– The Olympic flame has not yet lit up the California sky, but the clock is already ticking. 973 days separate us from the start of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, an edition poised to become the most spectacular and ambitious in the history of modern Olympism.

On 14 July 2028, the City of Stars will host the world’s largest sporting event. A total of 36 sports, 51 disciplines, and an unprecedented technological and cultural showcase promise to redefine the Olympic experience.

A Revolutionary Schedule

Los Angeles 2028 will introduce groundbreaking decisions.
For the first time, athletics—traditionally held in the second half of the Games—will take over the first week, becoming the centerpiece of the Opening Ceremony and the early heartbeat of the medal table.

As a result, swimming will move to the second week of competition.

Within this historic shift, some of the most anticipated events already have dates.
The 100 meters, the crown jewel of athletics, will take place on the first two days, setting the tone for a global opening spectacle. It will be the stage where Julien Alfred aims to defend her title against a rising challenger: Melissa Jefferson Wooden, the surging American sprinter with her sights set on winning gold on home soil.

The First Medal and the Iconic “Super Saturday”

The first medal awarded at LA 2028 will be in Women’s Triathlon, set against an incomparable backdrop: Venice Beach, the Californian paradise that will host the event’s sporting debut.

But the date everyone will circle in red is 29 July, the legendary “Super Saturday”:
• 26 medals at stake
• 23 sports crowning champions in one single day

A true marathon of emotion for athletes, fans, journalists, and commentators.

New Sports Making History

Los Angeles 2028 will also welcome new disciplines designed to connect with younger generations and global fanbases:
• Squash – Finally joining the Olympic program
• Flag Football – The most dynamic and accessible version of American football
• Cricket – A global giant returning to the Games for the first time since 1900
• Lacrosse – A historic North American sport undergoing worldwide expansion

These sports are expected to attract millions of new viewers and broaden the Olympic identity.

A Majestic Closing

The Closing Ceremony will take place on 30 July at the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a temple of American sport and culture that already made Olympic history in 1932 and 1984, and will do so again for a third time.

Los Angeles 2028 will not be just a competition—it will be a boundless spectacle, a celebration of global sport, and a meeting point between tradition and innovation. The countdown has begun.