The LA28 Organizing Committee announced on May 8 that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will officially serve as the venues for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The dual-venue Olympic Opening Ceremony is set for July 14, 2028, and will be shared between the historic Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. This unprecedented format allows both venues to participate in the spectacle while reflecting the updated Games schedule, with Athletics moved to the first week and Swimming to the second. The Olympic Closing Ceremony will return solely to the Coliseum on July 30.
For the Paralympics, SoFi Stadium will host the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 15, 2028, with the Paralympic Closing Ceremony taking place Aug. 27 at the Coliseum—a shift from earlier plans and the only change in venue designation since the 2017 bid.
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Mayor Karen Bass called the announcement a “day of celebration,” highlighting the Coliseum’s historical role in the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and its unique place in history as the only stadium to host events in three separate Olympic Games. She described the venue as the “heartbeat” of LA28 and noted that the Games would reach every corner of the city—from triathlon events at Venice Beach to skateboarding in the San Fernando Valley and baseball at Dodger Stadium.
Bass also emphasized the city’s preparations through the Shine LA initiative, which includes neighborhood beautification projects such as tree planting and park cleanups. She credited LA28 leadership, city officials, and community partners for their collaboration and praised the Games as an opportunity to bring Angelenos together during challenging times.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts reflected on the city’s Olympic past, recalling his role as a venue commander during the 1984 Games when Inglewood hosted Olympic basketball. He said the 2028 Opening and Paralympic Ceremonies will showcase Inglewood on an international scale, calling SoFi Stadium “one of the most modern and impressive stadiums in the world.” He credited the venue for elevating Inglewood from a national city to an international one.
City Councilmembers Heather Hutt and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson attended the event while Curren Price who represents the 9th District that encompasses the Coliseum provided remarks alongside other dignitaries. Also present were international athletes from the LA28 Olympian and Paralympian Fellowship, a program that provides retired athletes with hands-on experience through six-month rotations within the organizing committee.
With less than four years to go, LA28’s ceremony plan honors Los Angeles’ Olympic legacy while embracing its future, uniting two iconic venues to welcome the world.
