New 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Venues Announced In … Oklahoma City?

Just before the 2024 Olympics in Paris get underway, the organizing committee behind the 2028 games in Los Angeles have announced more venue assignments.

While Olympic advertising restrictions means that stadiums or arenas aren't recognized by their official names, it's not hard to tell which venues the committee is referring to. USC's home basketball arena, the Galen Center, will host Badminton. Riviera Country Club will host golf, the Peacock Theater in downtown LA will host weightlifting competitions, the Convention Center will host fencing and other events.

SoFi Stadium will host swimming, the LA Coliseum track and field, Crypto.com Arena will host gymnastics, and the newly constructed Intuit Dome will get basketball.

All makes sense, right? Signature venues and locations around the city of Los Angeles, hosting the 2028 Olympics in…Los Angeles. So it stands to reason that the canoe slalom and softball will be held in Oklahoma City. Wait, what?

Yes, Oklahoma City. Apparently LA, somehow, did not have any potential venues that would meet the international requirements for either sport, so they were outsourced to, of all places, Oklahoma City.

Jan 16, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; A general overall aerial view of the Intuit Dome construction site. The arena will the future home of the LA Clippers and site of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.  Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles And Oklahoma City Olympics

It's bizarre to think that not only will there be certain events at the 2028 Olympics staged in an entirely different city, but in one that's well over a thousand miles away from LA. The Oklahoma City softball venue is unquestionably the best softball stadium in the country, hosting the College World Series event and seating over 13,000 people.

But imagine you're an Olympic athlete, excited to participate in the world's signature international competition, experience all the Games have to offer and live at the Olympic village. And instead you're shuttled off 1,300 miles away from the rest of the athletes and set to compete outside in Oklahoma City in mid-late July.

Not ideal!

It's an achievement and honor for any athlete to make the Olympic team and represent their country. But imagine telling your friends and family you'll be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and your venue is in Oklahoma City. It's just a bit of a letdown, isn't it?