Less than a year after the innovative spectacle of Paris 2024 on the River Seine, Los Angeles has confirmed it will make history by becoming the first Olympic city to host an opening ceremony in two stadiums. The LA28 organizers announced that the historic Memorial Coliseum and the modern SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will share the spotlight on July 14, 2028, kicking off an Olympic and Paralympic Games that promise to be unforgettable. This decision marks a major milestone in the evolution of the Olympic spectacle, blending tradition and innovation.
The closing ceremony will also take place at the Coliseum on July 30, reinforcing its legacy as the only venue to host events in three Summer Games: 1932, 1984, and 2028. In addition, for the first time, Los Angeles will host the Paralympic Games (August 15–27), with their opening and closing ceremonies to be held at the SoFi Stadium and the Coliseum, respectively. From organizers to sports figures such as Natalia Mayara and local authorities, everyone highlighted the transformative and symbolic nature of the announcement.
Tradition and innovation meet in LA28
The duality between the Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium represents the essence of Los Angeles: a city that honors its sporting history while leading with technological innovation. The Coliseum, an icon of Olympism in the U.S., will host athletics and once again stage an Olympic closing ceremony, while SoFi Stadium, home to the Rams and Chargers of the NFL, will make its Olympic debut with swimming events and host the Paralympic opening ceremony. According to Casey Wasserman, president of LA28, these venues reflect the very best the city has to offer the world.
The impact of these Games goes beyond sports. Natalia Mayara, a former Brazilian Paralympic tennis player, emphasized the importance of bringing the Paralympic Games to Los Angeles for the first time, highlighting their potential to transform global perceptions of disability. The mayor of Inglewood also celebrated his city’s role and the significance of its stadium in the event. Additionally, the LA28 sports program will include returning events like cricket and baseball/softball, as well as historic debuts such as squash, flag football, and Paralympic climbing. The blend of spectacle and sport will come to life in iconic venues like Universal Studios and Long Beach beach, at Games that already promise to be memorable.
