LA28 Reveals Stadiums Across the U.S. for the 2028 Olympic Soccer Games
LA28 Unveils Soccer Venues for 2028 Olympics, Streamlining Group Stage Schedule
LA28 has announced the selection of six stadiums across the United States that will host group stage matches for Olympic soccer, with a plan to optimize travel logistics by progressively moving teams from East to West. This strategy aims to facilitate a smoother tournament experience leading up to the knockout rounds at the Rose Bowl.
The tournament will kick off at New York City’s new Etihad Park, set to open in 2027 and distinguished as the first soccer-specific stadium in the city. Five of the selected venues primarily serve Major League Soccer clubs, including ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Geodis Park in Nashville, Energizer Park in St. Louis, and PayPal Park in San José.
Snapdragon Stadium, home to San Diego State football as well as San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC, is expected to host some of the final group matches due to its proximity to the Rose Bowl, where pivotal games commence on July 24, 2028.
“Bringing Olympic Football group stage and knockout matches to stadiums across the United States means more fans will witness this global event and experience the Olympic spirit firsthand,” stated Shana Ferguson, LA28 chief of sport and Games delivery officer.
Traditionally, Olympic soccer matches are dispersed across multiple venues, culminating in a final at a designated host city’s stadium. The Rose Bowl will hold the men’s gold medal match on July 28, 2028, while the women’s tournament concludes a day later, on July 29.
In a significant change, the 2028 tournament will feature more women’s teams than men’s, with the women’s field expanding to 16 teams, compared to 12 for the men’s. This adjustment contributes to the Games being recognized as the first female-majority Olympic competition.
LA28 is also collaborating with the International Olympic Committee to explore an extended competition window, potentially allowing preliminary matches to begin before the opening ceremony on July 14, 2028. Details regarding schedules and match distributions for each stadium will be made available before the initial ticket sales window opens in April 2026.
Notably, this expanded venue list introduces Olympic soccer competition to six new cities, with early presale tickets available starting April 2, specifically for residents in Southern California and Oklahoma City, where additional sports, including softball, will be hosted.
