LA28 organisers share Olympic football love across the US in the race to the Rose Bowl 

February 3 – The Olympics might have its structural foundation in Los Angeles in 2028, but the men’s and women’s football tournament will belong to the entire country.

LA28 organisers have confirmed that six stadiums across the United States will join the Rose Bowl in hosting Olympic football matches, stretching the tournament coast to coast.

Group and knockout games will be staged in New York City, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego, with the iconic Rose Bowl, site of the 1984 Olympic and 1994 World Cup final, tying the bow for the final medal matches, and bringing it all back to Southern California.

It is a familiar Olympic model. Football, with its long schedule and heavy logistical demands, has always been the sport that roams furthest from the host city. In 2028, it will travel from East to West, giving other parts of America the potential to taste the magic of the Olympic Games.

Football was once treated as an Olympic afterthought, especially on the men’s side, but it now carries a different weight, and notable players now consider it a bucket list item in their careers. Who can forget the sight of Brazilian legend, Neymar, bursting into tears after securing the Gold Medal for his country at the Rio games in 2016?

For many, it is a once-in-a-career chance to represent their country on a global stage that transcends football itself.

In 2028, there will be a shift in format that recognises the growth of the women’s game. Their tournament expands to 16 teams, while the men’s competition drops to 12. The U.S., as hosts, is guaranteed spots in both tournaments, with the men’s U-23s allowed three overage players.

Every stadium selected is a Major League Soccer venue, with several shared with the National Women’s Soccer League, reinforcing how deeply embedded the domestic game is now as opposed to ’84 and ’94, when college football stadiums were used to host matches.

With the added travel, organisers are looking at the Games calendar and may start the group matches earlier than the opening ceremony in Los Angeles.

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