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Olympics 2028 Adds New Sports
Preview of the Newest Athletic Competitions
The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature five new sports joining the global stage, marking the largest program expansion in modern Olympic history. The International Olympic Committee has approved baseball/softball, cricket (Twenty20 format), flag football, lacrosse (sixes format), and squash as additional sports. Cricket returns after a 128-year absence since the 1900 Paris Games, while lacrosse makes its medal-event comeback after last appearing in 1908.
Youth-Oriented Sports Promoted
Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing - introduced as optional sports in Tokyo 2020 - have been elevated to core Olympic status for LA28. The modern pentathlon will debut an updated format replacing show jumping with obstacle course racing following animal welfare concerns. The Games will also feature more female than male athletes for the first time, with new mixed-gender events in golf, gymnastics, and table tennis.
Venue Innovations
Swimming events will take place at SoFi Stadium configured for 38,000 spectators, making it the largest aquatics venue in Olympic history. Softball and canoe slalom will be hosted in Oklahoma City to utilize existing facilities. The iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will co-host opening ceremonies alongside SoFi Stadium, becoming the first venue to host three Summer Olympics (1932, 1984, 2028).
Global Impact
Cricket's inclusion is expected to draw massive interest from South Asia, with six-team men's and women's T20 tournaments. Flag football could feature NFL players pending union agreements. The Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse team may receive special dispensation to compete, honoring the sport's Indigenous origins. The changes reflect LA28's commitment to innovation while maintaining a $6.88 billion privately-funded budget.
