When exactly are the Olympics happening and which sports/events will be on which days?
The LA28 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony is set for July 14, 2028, with the Games running through July 30, 2028, and the LA28 Paralympic Games will kick off August 15, 2028, and close August 27, 2028. (LA28.org). A comprehensive daily competition schedule (including event days and medal days) can be found in a clear and downloadable, tabular format at LA28.org.
Is there a comprehensive guide to Olympics and Paralympics event locations and venues, both within the city of Los Angeles and beyond?
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will primarily utilize existing venues across Southern California, organized into zones including Downtown LA, Inglewood, Pasadena, Long Beach, and the Valley. For a comprehensive guide to each zone, the venues therein and the events that will be held there, visit LA28.org.
Will it be possible for clients to attend more than one Olympics or Paralympics event in the same day?
Yes, but where visitors are interested in attending more than one event in the same day, it is recommended they choose events which are within the same zone (Downtown LA, Valley, South Bay), as grouping events by zone will help minimize travel time between sessions.
Will there be any additional or dedicated transport options for spectators to transit between Los Angeles and the outlying event venues?
Spectators will have the flexibility to utilize a variety of transport options, including public transportation, park-and-ride options and dedicated shuttles to venues from major transportation hubs and nearby stations. Venues will be designed to be accessed primarily by transit and other shared transportation options.
For access to outlying event venues such as Trestles/San Clemente (for example), which will play host to surfing, it is recommended that visitors travel by rental car or ride share.
How will city-level transportation planning and temporary mobility adjustments in Los Angeles and other event locations affect movement between match venues, airports, hotels, and major visitor hubs?
Operators should plan for event-day transit surges, security perimeters, and localized road/transit adjustments near event venues and fan sites throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
LA28 has shared that spectators will have the flexibility to utilize different transport options including public transportation, venue-serving shuttle stops and park-and-ride options. LA28 website will have more details on these options in the future on its website.
Are there expected crowd-management or transportation plans that operators should factor into itineraries?
Yes—assume more time is needed during the Games for venue approaches and departures (security screening, pedestrian queuing, restricted vehicle access, and higher demand on rideshare/transit). This will be the case at all event venues, but particularly larger stadia such as the LA Memorial Coliseum, SoFi Stadium and Rose Bowl.
Build itineraries with buffer time, prioritize public transit/shuttles where offered, and avoid tight airport connections on during the Games.
Are there recommended areas reasonably close to LA where travelers can “beat the crowds” before, after, or between events?
SoCal: Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Oceanside, San Diego, Temecula, Palm Springs/Desert Cities.
NorCal: Ventura, Santa Barbara, SLO CAL, Monterey County, High Sierra (Sequoia/Kings Canyon/Yosemite/Mammoth)
Additional itineraries are available here, offering more ideas and flexible options to make the most of time around events.
Which nearby regions or secondary hubs offer strong accommodations and experiences while providing more stable availability and guest flow?
For smoother inventory and guest flow, consider secondary lodging hubs with strong transportation access:
LA: Downtown LA, Pasadena/Glendale/Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Monica (pricing varies), Anaheim/OC (large room base), and select coastal/valley clusters depending on match-day routing.
Bay Area: Oakland/East Bay, San Jose/South Bay (close to Levi’s), Peninsula corridor (Caltrain-linked cities), and wine country for premium extensions.
Will there be official fan zones or public viewing areas? What are the accessibility, capacity, and usage guidelines for those spaces?
Yes, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will feature multiple fan zones and community celebration sites across Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. Fan zones are planned near major transit hubs and public spaces, with at least 10 official locations including LA Live and Venice Beach designed to ensure that fans without tickets to specific events can still participate in the city-wide atmosphere of the 2028 Games.
What types of ancillary events—festivals, concerts, city programs, cultural activations—are planned around the games that should be included in itineraries?
Los Angeles tourism/host-city messaging is already signaling multi-week citywide programming around the tournament window, but most specific event calendars will roll out soon. (Discover Los Angeles)
What’s the best way to access legitimate tickets for the Olympics and Paralympic Games?
Registration for the first ticket draw to purchase tickets during the LA & OKC Locals Presale and Drop 1 closed on March 18, 2026. Visitors interested in purchasing tickets are advised to sign up for the LA28 newsletter to receive details about the next draw.
Information on the official LA28 resale program and verified platforms for selling and purchasing LA28 tickets will be announced in 2027. (LA28.org)
What verified channels or hospitality programs are recommended to ensure travelers secure safe and authentic tickets?
Verified LA28 hospitality programs are provided exclusively by On Location, offering ticket-inclusive packages with premium seating, accommodation, and transportation. Packages range from in-venue shared lounges to private suites and bespoke "Platinum Access" itineraries.
Are hotel partners releasing special allotments or negotiated group rates for Olympic Games visitors, and when will those booking windows open?
Inventory strategies will vary by brand/ownership, channel mix, and citywide compression patterns. Operators should prepare for a combination of: early deposits for groups, minimum-stay policies near events, and dynamic pricing.
Are California hotel partners preparing early-release inventory or protected allotments aligned with expected IOC/LA28 demand patterns?
Some partners may, but there is no public, standardized “IOC/LA28 allotment” program across California that can be cited as a universal rule today.
How should operators anticipate pricing behavior for hotels, transportation, and attractions during the Olympic Games and Paralympics period?
Expect compression pricing during the Games, higher cancellation penalties, and limited “last-minute deals” in core zones. Transportation will likely see demand spikes (rideshare surge pricing; higher car rental and charter demand). Build packages that lock in value through early contracting and consider bundling experiences in shoulder days to reduce peak exposure.
What booking windows are expected to offer the best value for travelers?
No official “best-value window” is published yet. Practically, value is usually strongest before event-specific travel peaks are fully priced in—but that depends on when your hotels open inventory and when clients commit after the draw.
The "Post-Games" Window: If they are flexible, suggest late August. The Olympics conclude July 30, and the Paralympics end August 27. The first two weeks of August often see a "lull" as the first wave of tourists departs and schools resume.
What updated guidance should we provide on U.S. entry requirements—visas, ESTA processing, expected wait times, or any temporary adjustments during peak months?
ESTA: Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program should apply early; government guidance commonly notes ESTA determinations can take up to 72 hours. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Visas: For travelers who need a U.S. visa, the most reliable public source for planning is the U.S. State Department’s Visa Appointment Wait Times tool (varies by consulate and changes frequently). (Travel.gov)
For Mexican travelers specifically, what should operators know about visa appointment lead times and interview-waiver eligibility?
Lead times: Use the State Department’s Visa Appointment Wait Times by location (it’s the best official planning reference). (Travel.gov)
Interview waiver (possible, not automatic): State Department updates outline criteria for certain renewal applicants, including B-1/B-2 renewals and specific provisions tied to Border Crossing Card/Foil renewals for Mexican applicants, subject to meeting eligibility rules and consular discretion. (Travel.gov)
What are the guidelines and restrictions for incorporating LA28-related or Olympics-adjacent messaging?
The IOC’s IP Guidelines and brand protection resources make clear that intellectual property (marks/logos/official terms) are restricted to authorized rights-holders; unauthorized commercial association is not permitted.
In accordance with the legal standards regarding the use of IP, the IOC has prepared material for a better understanding of the use of the Olympic Properties by entities that do not belong to the Olympic Movement and/or are not the current Official Partners, Licensees and Broadcasters. (Olympics.com)
What are the best itinerary structures for combining Olympics or Paralympics attendance with high-value California experiences?
The most effective LA28 itineraries are built around “Extra Time to Play Fuller”—using LA28 experience as the anchor, then extending trips through California’s regions, passions, and pace of travel rather than concentrating activity in a single host city.
Trade-ready structures include:
Operators are encouraged to:
Should my clients come is they are not planning to attend the games?
California is large state with an abundance of travel experiences and regions, so if your client is not wanting to attend a LA28 game, they can still have a perfect California experience. They can also experience a taste of LA28 by joining watch parties or festivals in addition to their regular itinerary wish list.
Geography is Your Best Friend
The Games are concentrated in specific "Sports Zones" (Downtown LA, Long Beach, Inglewood, and the San Fernando Valley). Help your clients "pivot" to nearby gems that offer a completely different pace:
Advisor Insight: Frame the 2028 trip as a "California Beyond the Rings" adventure. The state’s infrastructure will be at its absolute best (new transit lines, renovated airport terminals, and refreshed public spaces), making it a premium time to visit—provided you steer them toward the hidden gems.