The organizers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games announced on Tuesday that they have selected six stadiums distributed in different regions of the United States of America to host the men’s and women’s soccer competitions. This move aims to spread the competitions more widely, beyond the borders of Southern California, to include the East and West Coasts.
The organizing committee explained that the group matches and knockout rounds will be held in: New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego. The list includes modern Major League Soccer stadiums, including New York City FC Stadium, which is still under construction and scheduled to be completed in 2027.
On the other hand, it was decided to hold the final rounds, including the two matches to determine the champion for men and women, at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The organizers have set July 28, 2028 as the date for the men’s final match, followed by the women’s final match on July 29 of the same year.
The organizing committee highlighted a historic turning point in Olympic football, as the number of women’s teams will exceed the number of men’s teams for the first time, with 16 women’s teams compared to 12 men’s teams. The tournament hopes to set a new standard by achieving full equality in the number of teams between genders in all team sports.
Organizationally, the competition schedule has been set up so that matches will take place simultaneously across different time zones in the United States, with the aim of reducing travel stress and ensuring the safety of athletes, while providing a comprehensive viewing experience for fans. The full schedule of matches is expected to be revealed before tickets go on sale next April.
