Lightning Saturday Defines LA 2028: Two Fresh Sports on the Olympic Menu
12 November 2025
Schedule Highlights
Organizers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games unveiled the full competition timetable on Wednesday, highlighting Day 1 with the women’s 100 metres and a Super Saturday featuring 26 finals on July 29.
The calendar confirms an opening ceremony on July 14 and a closing ceremony on July 30, making this edition the longest in span and scale.
It will be the largest Games ever, with 11,200 athletes across 51 sports competing at 49 venues.
For the first time, women’s team sports will equal or exceed men’s, with women accounting for about 50.5% of the total participants.
Day 1 will host the start of the women’s triathlon and finish with the 100 metres dash, all in a single day.
Shana Ferguson, the sports director for the organizing committee, emphasized that they want to start these Games with a bang and showcase the fastest women on the planet, meaning the 100 m races will involve three rounds in one day.
Janet Evans, the athletes liaison, noted that feedback was broadly positive when the idea was discussed with athletes, and some asked to train for three runs in one day.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion, said that the time for track and field has arrived and that Los Angeles 2028 promises something special, especially in the women’s sprints. She added that talent, energy, and competition will shine on the opening day, and to look at Day One.
The concept was described by Evans as innovative yet respectful of tradition, as stated by Sebastian Coe, head of World Athletics, who praised the approach.
The organizers also rearranged swimming and track dates, with SoFi Stadium hosting swimming in Week 2 to keep the opening ceremony on track.
Evans explained that Week 2 could attract about 38,000 spectators in the stands, a thrill for a former swimmer, and the change allows swimmers to attend the Opening Ceremony without worrying about morning heats the next day.
Super Saturday on July 29 will feature 26 finals across 23 sports, including 15 medal finals in team events and finals in 15 individual sports.
Athletes across athletics, basketball, volleyball, boxing, cricket, golf, football, swimming and tennis will be crowned Olympic champions on that day.
The first medals of Los Angeles 2028 will be awarded in the women’s triathlon on July 15, with the last medals in swimming just before the closing ceremony.
The organizers set marathon races for the weekend of the final edition of the Games, with the women’s race on July 29 and the men’s on July 30.
No dynamic pricing is planned for the Olympic events, with around 14 million tickets targeted; prices will be announced later and will be based on past data and regional benchmarks.
Two new sports are introduced, and baseball and softball return to the Olympic program with baseball games at Dodger Stadium and medals on July 19; cricket returns with women’s finals on July 20 and men’s finals on July 29; lacrosse also returns with men’s and women’s finals on July 29; and for the first time Los Angeles hosts flag football and squash, both scheduled for July 15.
Details on a standalone Olympic football tournament across the United States and the Los Angeles Paralympics will be announced later.
And a touch of humor to end: if speed could be bottled, sprinters would need a caution label; the ticket lines may give even the fastest athletes a run for their money.
Also, a light note: if you blink, you might miss a record—bring a chair, the seats will be hot property.
