The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) has plenty of reasons to celebrate: three of its disciplines will be part of the official program of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed this week that goalball, para judo, and blind men’s football will award medals at the 18th edition of the event, which will take place from August 15 to 27 across several locations in California.

This milestone represents not only a recognition of IBSA’s work in promoting sports for people with visual impairments, but also an opportunity to highlight disciplines full of excitement, skill, and effort. The three sports will be held at iconic venues: the Peacock Theater, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and Alamitos Beach, offering a unique experience for both athletes and spectators.

Confirmed venues for IBSA sports

The Peacock Theater, located in the heart of Los Angeles, will host goalball, a sport exclusively for visually impaired athletes that requires complete silence from the audience to allow players to hear the ball’s bells. This venue, traditionally dedicated to performing arts, will be adapted to host the discipline in a carefully designed acoustic setting, promising to further elevate the intensity of each match.

Para judo will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where it will share space with other combat sports. This adapted version of traditional judo, where each match begins with physical contact to ensure equal conditions, will find a vibrant and functional environment at this venue. Lastly, blind men’s football will be played in a temporary stadium set up at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach. Surrounded by the Pacific breeze, this spectacular setting will host a sport that blends orientation, speed, and strategy, proving that the thrill of the game transcends sight.