In a surprising turn of events, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature canoe slalom and softball events taking place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma instead of on the West Coast. This decision was made by LA28 to utilize venues that are built to international competition standards, ensuring a high-quality experience for athletes and fans while also supporting a balanced budget.
The Oklahoma City community has a strong history of supporting top events for both sports, making it an ideal location for the Olympic competitions. Softball has a strong presence in Oklahoma City, as it has hosted the Women’s College World Series since 1990. This makes it a fitting choice to host the softball events for the 2028 Olympics. The Riversports Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center will host the 2026 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships, showcasing its ability to host world-class events.
LA28 also announced venue updates for other sports, including swimming at SoFi Stadium, gymnastics at Crypto.com Arena, and basketball at the new Los Angeles Clippers stadium. The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area will host BMX and skateboarding events, as well as archery. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Clippers’ new arena.
To accommodate the venue changes, the track and field events will be held in the first week of the Olympics, while swimming will take place during the second week. All sports moved outside of Los Angeles city limits require approval by the LA City Council, which has been granted for
