LA28 venue plan released for 2028 Paralympic Games

The stage is set for the LA28 Paralympic Games, with many iconic stadiums and locales set to host the world’s best para athletes under the venue plan approved by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board on Tuesday, 3 June.

“The Paralympic Games showcases the highest level of athleticism, skill and endurance and it is important for LA28 to deliver a plan that not only elevates Paralympic sport, but brings it to the next level,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover.

With the most medal events ever contested in Paralympic history, the LA28 Games are set to mark a historic milestone for para sport.

“The Paralympic venue plan ensures that Los Angeles’ first-ever Paralympic Games will take place in incredible existing stadiums and arenas across the region while creating the best possible experience for athletes and fans across the 560 events with accessibility top of mind.”

Designed to fit the needs of athletes and adhere to the requirements of each sport, the plan aims to minimise travel and maximise the use of existing venues around the City of Angels.

Therefore, all competitions during the LA28 Paralympic Games will take place within a 35-mile (56-kilometre) radius, with para athletes housed in a single Paralympic Village for the first time since Rio 2016.

“The first-ever Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will showcase the world’s top talent and provide an opportunity for L.A. to improve inclusive accessibility citywide,” commented City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “The legacy of these Games will be imprinted on our city forever – proliferating beyond the boundaries of these venues to better all of Los Angeles.”

Split between three main venue clusters – the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Carson – para athletes will be treated to a buffet of world-class sporting cathedrals.

The LA Memorial Coliseum, USC Sports Center, Peacock Theater, Arena in Downtown Los Angeles and Convention Center in Downtown Los Angeles will all double-up on their Olympic duties, hosting a wide array of sports in the heart of the city.

Likewise, Carson’s fields, Velodrome and Tennis Center will welcome para archery, para track cycling and wheelchair tennis for a second round of action during the LA28 Paralympic Games.

Long Beach’s Marine Stadium will provide the stage for para canoe and para rowing, while the sandy shores of Alamitos Beach will provide the ideal backdrop for blind football set to utilise the temporary venue created for beach volleyball during the LA28 Olympic Games.

The Convention Center and surrounding areas will host para climbing, para swimming, shooting para sport and sitting volleyball.

Venice Beach, which featured in a video played during the LA28 handover segment of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games closing ceremony, will serve as the start line for para athletics marathon, as well as host to the para triathlon competition.

Para Equestrian events will be held at Santa Anita Park, the same iconic venue that hosted the equestrian events at the Olympic Games in 1984 and will once again take centre stage for both the LA 28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The LA28 Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place between Tuesday 15 August to Sunday 27 August 2028.