The Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games are entering one of their final phases of preparation with fewer than one thousand days to go before the Opening Ceremony. It will be the first time the city hosts a Paralympic Games, and the LA28 Organizing Committee has released an initial version of the competition schedule, which includes 23 sports and 560 medal events. The announcement comes alongside institutional statements highlighting the ambition of the project and its goal of strengthening global visibility for Paralympic sport.
The update also confirms that LA28 is set to feature the largest number of women athletes in Paralympic history. Los Angeles aims to position itself as a benchmark for accessibility, fan experience and media impact, with a schedule designed to distribute competition across the region while prioritizing an athlete-centered approach.
Changes to the Paralympic competition schedule
The preliminary schedule has been developed in collaboration with each international federation, the International Paralympic Committee and Olympic Broadcasting Services. This coordinated work has made it possible to design a programme that responds to sporting needs, manages athlete flows efficiently and maximizes opportunities for audience engagement. Among the most notable updates is the decision to begin competition before the Opening Ceremony, with wheelchair rugby starting on Day -2 and boccia on Day -1.
The first Paralympic champions of Los Angeles will be crowned on Day 1 in Para athletics, wheelchair fencing, shooting, Para equestrian and track cycling. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to take place at the 2028 Stadium, and the Closing Ceremony will be held at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The programme also includes weekends packed with finals and the debut of Para climbing, which will feature four days of competition beginning on Day 9.
What sets LA28 apart from previous Paralympic Games
The Los Angeles edition will award more medals than any Paralympic Games to date and is also expected to feature a greater number of women athletes. It will mark the first time an Organizing Committee has proposed and successfully added a new sport to the Paralympic programme, following the inclusion of Para climbing. Another distinctive feature is the commitment to avoid constructing new permanent venues, making LA28 an edition built on existing facilities or temporary adaptations.
Expanded formats in sports such as wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball will allow for more matches and an additional qualification round. The decision to begin competition before the Opening Ceremony aims to extend broadcast opportunities and increase the number of days with Paralympic coverage. The strong emphasis on accessibility and a regionwide mobility plan further reinforces the unique identity of LA28.
What still needs to be finalized in Los Angeles
Despite the progress, several elements remain under review. A detailed, event-by-event competition schedule will be released in 2026, and some venues are still being assessed alongside the Olympic programme. Final plans for accessible transport, accommodation and mobility services are part of the upcoming phases of preparation, as are the broadcast models that will adapt to global demand.
Qualification processes remain open in most sports, and the schedule will continue to evolve as planning advances. The LA28 Organizing Committee will provide further updates over the coming months and expects to finalize key components between 2026 and 2027, a decisive period for preparing the first Paralympic Games in the history of Los Angeles.
