Organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have announced a significant expansion for the Olympic soccer tournaments. Six Major League Soccer (MLS) venues across the United States will host matches for both the men’s and women’s events. This marks a move that broadens the competitive landscape beyond just southern California.
Designated MLS Venues for Olympic Soccer Tournaments
The selected stadiums include:
- Etihad Park, Queens, New York – Under construction, expected completion in 2027.
- Scott’s Miracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio.
- Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri.
- PayPal Park, San Jose, California.
- Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California – The largest venue, with a capacity of 35,000.
Among these venues, PayPal Park is the smallest, accommodating 18,000 spectators. Furthermore, final matches, including the gold medal games for both genders, will take place at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Match Schedule and Unique Features
The men’s final is set for July 28, 2028, and the women’s final will follow on July 29. Organizers have crafted the tournament schedule to enable concurrent matches from the East Coast to the West Coast. This approach intends to enhance athlete welfare by minimizing travel while providing fans with a more inclusive experience.
Another notable milestone for the Olympic soccer tournaments is the participation of more women’s teams than men’s teams. Sixteen women’s teams will compete, compared to twelve men’s teams. This initiative seeks to establish a standard for future Olympic events where all team sports feature an equal or greater number of women’s teams.
Upcoming Announcements and Ticket Sales
A comprehensive match schedule, detailing dates and venues for every game, will be released ahead of ticket sales in April. This announcement promises to further excite fans and participants as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approach.
