LA28 adds Dodger Stadium as venue and moves beach volleyball to Long Beach

LA28 unveiled its updated venue plan for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games Tuesday, adding Dodger Stadium to the list and moving beach volleyball to Long Beach.

LA28, the organizing committee for the Games, announced the venue plan for most events after it was approved last week by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board. Organizers said the updated list will showcase the best that L.A. has to offer.

"This plan brings the Games to all corners of our city like never before -- from the Sepulveda Basin to the iconic shores of Venice Beach, our world-famous neighborhoods as well as our hidden gems will be on full display for all to experience and enjoy," Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. "And as we come together to prepare, we will help small businesses, create local jobs and implement lasting environmental and transportation improvements that will leave a legacy in our city for generations to come."

Preliminary matches for boxing will be held in the Peacock Theater, with the finals taking place at the Crypto.com Arena. The arena will also host artistic gymnastics, which were initially planned for the Kia Forum in Inglewood.

Rhythmic gymnastics will take place at USC's Galen Center, where badminton will also be played, adjacent to the Memorial Coliseum. Baseball will make its Olympic return at Dodger Stadium.

Venice Beach will serve as the new home for the triathlon, relocating from Long Beach. Venice will also be the official starting location for the marathon and cycling road courses. LA28 is expected to confirm and announce the courses and finishes for both these events at a later date.

In an Olympic-first for the San Fernando Valley, LA28 added 3x3 basketball and modern pentathlon to competitions slated for the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area alongside BMX and skateboarding.

"We've promised the world an incredible Olympic Games and today we're proud to share the plan that will make it happen," LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover said in a statement.

"Los Angeles is the epicenter of sports, culture and entertainment, and every venue selected for the 2028 Games will provide athletes and fans the best possible experience," Hoover added. "The 2028 Olympic venue plan invites communities from across the region to celebrate the Games coming to their backyard with the most exciting sports staged at some of the world's top-tier existing stadiums and arenas, famous beaches and purpose-built temporary structures."

Five new sports being held during the 2028 Games had their venues set as well. Squash will make its debut in the San Fernando Valley at the Universal Studio lot. Cricket will be held at the fairgrounds in Pomona. Softball, which will make its first appearance since 2008, will head to Oklahoma City's Devon Park.

The city of Long beach will host 11 events, showcasing beach volleyball at Alamitos Beach after talks broke down between Santa Monica and LA28. Coastal rowing will make its first Olympic appearance at the nearby waterfront.

Target shooting will take place in the Long Beach Convention Center and sport climbing will be held at the site's parking lot, alongside water polo and artistic swimming at a temporary pool.

Sailing will return to Long Beach's Belmont Shore, which previously held the event in 1984.

"Long Beach is now confirmed to serve as a premier waterfront venue for the 2028 Games. We are thrilled and honored to have beach volleyball join the list of acclaimed sporting events to be held on our iconic coastline, from sailing to water polo, and we are excited to open our doors to the world and showcase the culture, diversity and spirit of our community," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement.

"We are proud to share our unique waterfront with athletes and fans from across the globe as we unite to celebrate the power of sport. This presents a generational economic opportunity for our city, and we look forward to working with LA28 as we continue to prepare for this monumental experience," he added.

The city of Carson will host archery at Dignity Health Sports Park, along with the rugby tournament. Nearby areas will host tennis, track cycling and field hockey.

Meanwhile, Orange County will host indoor volleyball at Anaheim's Honda Center and surfing will take place at Trestles Beach in San Clemente.

“We’ve promised the world an incredible Olympic Games and today we’re proud to share the plan that will make it happen,” said LA28 CEOr Reynold Hoover. “Los Angeles is the epicenter of sports, culture and entertainment, and every venue selected for the 2028 Games will provide athletes and fans the best possible experience.”

Santa Anita Park is formally slated to hold equestrian events, as it did in 1984. The event was previously planned for Temecula's Galway Downs.

Cricket will make its Southern California debut at the Fairgrounds in Pomona.

LA28 is still working to finalize soccer preliminary rounds and mountain biking events. Soccer is expected to be held in stadiums across the country with the final rounds slated for the Rose Bowl.

All confirmed sports and venues are available at www.la28.org. The opening ceremony will be on July 14, 2028 and the Paralympic games will start on August 15, 2028.

Additional reporting by City News Service.