Los Angeles marks two-year countdown to 2028 Summer Olympics, handball competition to begin early

By Bilal Ahmed — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Los Angeles prepares for 2028 Summer Olympics

Los Angeles is marking the two-year countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics, with preparations focusing on sustainable venues and community engagement. The city anticipates a major sports event, with leaders preparing local venues and neighborhoods participating in clean energy programs. The Games are scheduled to run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, featuring 51 sports across more than 40 venues.

A key aspect of the planning involves using existing world-class facilities rather than constructing new stadiums. This strategy aims to save money and protect the natural environment, setting an example for sustainable event hosting. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set to host the summer games for a third time, having previously welcomed athletes in past eras.

Some athletic events will also take place in other regions, such as Oklahoma City hosting softball games and providing a modern canoe slalom facility. This distributed venue plan is intended to ensure safe and responsible hosting, with athletes training in multiple locations across the nation.

Ticketing and event details

Fans interested in attending the 2028 Summer Olympics can secure tickets through various platforms. The ticketing process is already underway, following a successful initial launch where over 4 million tickets were claimed by fans from 85 countries. The second public ticket sale, known as Drop 2, is scheduled from August 10 to August 20, 2026. Those wishing to participate in the LA28 Ticket Draw must register by July 22, 2026, with selections notified on August 6–7.

For handball enthusiasts, the Olympic handball competition is set to begin on July 12, 2028, two days before the official opening ceremony. The men’s preliminary round will commence at the Long Beach Arena on July 12, 2028, followed by the women’s preliminary round a day later. The Long Beach Arena, which previously hosted volleyball during the 1984 Olympic Games, will serve as the venue for handball events. Tickets for handball matches will be available across various price points, managed digitally through AXS and Eventim, the official ticketing service providers.

The United States of America men’s and women’s teams are the only qualified teams so far for the handball competitions, with 12 teams competing in each. Future qualification spots will be determined by events such as the winner of the Women’s EHF EURO 2026, taking place in December, and the winner of the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship, scheduled between January 13 and 31, 2027.

Community impact and legacy

The Los Angeles 2028 Games are envisioned to leave a lasting impact on the community. Millions of local children are expected to benefit from sports funding programs, encouraging healthy lifestyles through active regular exercise. The community remains focused on physical development goals, supporting a legacy plan that extends beyond the event itself.

The city is also planning extensive transportation services, including hundreds of electric shuttle buses to reduce highway traffic. Many workers are expected to perform tasks from home during the event. Local communities are actively engaged, with many neighborhoods hosting friendly sports events and volunteers cleaning hiking trails in anticipation of welcoming global athletes.

The selection committee for Team USA is carefully studying player data to build a balanced squad, combining emerging young stars with experienced veterans. For basketball, twelve elite players will be selected for the final official tournament roster, with the official announcement typically occurring a few months before the summer games begin.

Source: blog.eticketing.co