LA 2028 Olympics to feature never-before-seen event as surprise announcement made
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will feature a never-before-seen event, it has been announced.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already confirmed a number of schedule changes, with the re-addition of cricket perhaps being the most notable adjustment from Paris 2024.
Cricket is a growing sport in the United States, with the Major League Cricket T20 competition attracting some of the top white-ball players from across the world.
Traditional American sports, such as baseball, flag football and softball, are also set to be added to the Olympic schedule, alongside squash and lacrosse also given the green light.
Advert
There were brief concerns over whether the LA Olympics would go ahead following the outbreak of Californian wildfires in January and February, but it was subsequently confirmed that preparations would not be impacted.
Those preparations officially began at the closing ceremony of Paris 2024, as the Olympic flag was handed over to Los Angeles in a symbolic segment featuring Tom Cruise, Michael Johnson, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg.
Now, further details for how LA 2028 will be opened have now emerged - with a never-before-seen twist.
The opening ceremony will be held across two major stadiums for the first time in Olympic history.
Alongside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which hosted two previous opening ceremonies in 1932 and 1984, the SoFi Stadium will also be used for the first time.
The stadium is permanently used by the two NFL teams based in Los Angeles - the Rams and Chargers - and is also pencilled in to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was also the host of Super Bowl LVI in 2022, and both nights of WWE's WrestleMania 39 in 2023.
An official LA28 statement reads: "The venues selected for the 2028 opening and closing ceremonies will highlight Los Angeles' rich sporting history and cutting-edge future, showcasing the very best that LA has to offer on the world stage.
"These two extraordinary venues will create an unforgettable experience, welcoming fans from across the globe to an Olympic and Paralympic Games like never before and concluding what will go down as one of the most incredible Games in history."
Ryan Smart