Obsessed with the Olympics? Begin planning your trip to the 2028 games in LA today!

No matter your background, language, or how many Simone Biles gymnastics moves you can name, the thrill of the Olympic Games is felt by all.

Every four years, billions gather to watch top athletes compete in electrifying sports. The stakes are sky-high, with many events offering thrilling new experiences. (Ever heard of dressage?) The talent displayed by these athletes is unparalleled.

Nothing beats experiencing the games live, cheering for the athletes in person.

If the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has captured your attention, now is the perfect time to shift your gaze toward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, set to light up Southern California from July 14 to July 30, followed by the Paralympics in August.

'Building on the excitement from the Paris games, Los Angeles will become the third city ever – and the first in the US – to host the Olympics three times, joining Paris and London on this historic achievement,' stated Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism, in a release to Dinogo Planet.

This monumental event – officially known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, or LA28 – will feature over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports across more than 80 venues, providing over 3000 hours of entertainment, as detailed on the official website. This gives fans ample chance to get involved (at least from the audience).

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your Olympic adventure for 2028.

Where will the 2028 Summer Olympics be held?

Athletes will compete for gold across a vast 1500-mile stretch of the USA, with many events taking place in iconic venues throughout Los Angeles. The LA Memorial Coliseum, which was the heart of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, will make history as the first venue to host both the opening ceremony and track-and-field events for three summer games. SoFi Stadium, with a capacity of 38,000, will be the largest venue for swimming in Olympic history. Skateboarding, BMX freestyling, and more will take place at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, extending the games’ footprint into California’s San Fernando Valley. Gymnastics will dazzle at Downtown LA’s Crypto.com Arena. Sailing and rowing will occur in Long Beach, 20 miles south of LA, while equestrian events will take place 80 miles southeast in Temecula.

Softball and canoe slalom events will be held in Oklahoma City, located two time zones east of California, due to the absence of suitable venues in LA. This choice underscores the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to sustainability, emphasizing the use of existing facilities over expensive and unnecessary new construction.

When and where can I purchase tickets?

Patience is key: tickets won't be available for several years. (Sales for the 2024 Paris Olympics didn’t start until May 2023, just over a year before the event.) Sign up for the LA28 newsletter to stay informed with the latest updates.

No need to panic – if ticket trends for 2028 mirror those of 2024, you may not need superhuman speed to secure your seats. While the 2024 Paris Olympics sold an astonishing 8.7 million advance tickets, more than one million tickets for various events remained available just one day before the opening ceremony.

What steps can I take now to prepare for my trip?

1. Begin gathering your travel documents. Unless you're a US citizen, ensure your passport is current and valid for six months beyond your intended stay in the States—this means your passport should not expire until at least January 2029 (six months after the July 2028 games).

International travelers should verify the visa requirements for their country. Most visitors to the US need to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application for entry. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises applying at least 72 hours prior to travel; approved applications are generally valid for up to two years.

2. Explore viewing locations. Organize your trip around the ceremonies or events you’re most eager to attend. While the majority of competitions will occur in Los Angeles, many events will take place further away. Oklahoma City is over a three-hour flight east of LA, so if you’re keen on watching softball, plan your trip around OKC. If you’re determined to see equestrian events, be aware that it takes more than an hour to drive from LA to Temecula—and about the same time from San Diego, where crowds for LA28 may be lighter.

3. Assess your budget and start saving. Tickets in Paris varied from under €50 to over €2000, with the average international visitor spending, as reported by Time, around $5000 for the entire trip, including airfare, accommodations, and tickets. Other costs include car rentals, meals, and any non-Olympic activities—such as visiting LA’s mountaintop Getty Center, surfing in sandy Malibu, or embarking on a California coast road trip from LA to San Francisco.

4. Open your 2028 calendar and set reminders. Begin securing accommodations and flights approximately 330 days before the events (around August 2027)—when most US airlines begin accepting bookings. As the games approach (around March 2028), make reservations at your top destinations in LA. Competition for space at the best hotels, restaurants, and museum exhibitions will be almost as intense as the 100m dash.

I can't wait until 2028 for the next Olympics! What can I do to satisfy my excitement?

Top-tier athletes compete in events all year round, and traveling to watch them live is a great way to see the world. If you love pommel horse routines, consider flying to Jakarta, Indonesia for the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships. Aquatics enthusiasts can book trips to Singapore for next year's World Aquatics Championships. Tennis fans shouldn’t miss the annual US Open in New York City during late summer.

If you're excited about LA, why not check out the local sports scene before 2028? Adam Burke from Los Angeles Tourism is thrilled about the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the NBA All-Star Game, the 2026 US Women’s Open Championship, and Super Bowl LXI in 2027. “With 11 professional sports teams—the most in the US—and some of the world’s most famous sports and entertainment venues, LA has something for every sports fan all year round,” he shares.

The next Olympics are just around the corner, only two years away! The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will take place in Italy, covering the snowy landscapes of Milan and the luxurious ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Be sure to register on the official website’s ticketing platform to grab your seats as soon as they’re available.