The Olympic torch has hardly cooled from the spectacular 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina, but the world’s attention is already shifting to the next wave of global athletic competition. With the Olympic flag now officially passed to the French Alps for 2030, and Los Angeles gearing up for a blockbuster Summer Olympics in 2028, the next decade of Olympic sport promises innovation, nostalgia, and a few surprises along the way.
The 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up in Verona on February 22, 2026, with a closing ceremony that was nothing short of breathtaking. Italian organizers delivered seventeen days of riveting competition, from Norway’s continued dominance on the medal table to Team USA’s record-setting gold medal haul. American stars like Mikaela Shiffrin and Elana Meyers Taylor etched their names into Olympic history, while breakout performances from speed skater Jordan Stolz and figure skater Ilia Malinin hinted at a bright future for Team USA. As the Olympic flame was extinguished, the focus shifted to what’s next—and the answer is a thrilling lineup of host cities and new events.
The next stop on the Olympic journey is sunny Southern California, where Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics from July 14 to July 30. This marks the first time the Summer Games return to U.S. soil since Atlanta 1996 and the third time Los Angeles has welcomed the world, following its stints in 1932 and 1984. The anticipation is palpable: more than 15,000 athletes are expected to compete across 351 events—22 more than at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The grandeur of the Olympics combined with the glamour of Hollywood? Yes, please,” one article exclaimed, capturing the excitement that’s building around the LA Games. Organizers are making the most of the city’s world-class venues, spreading events across over 15 zones in the Los Angeles area, including iconic locations like Long Beach, Inglewood, and Venice. Basketball fans can look forward to matches at the Intuit Dome, baseball returns to Dodger Stadium, and golfers will tee off at the Riviera Country Club.
But Los Angeles isn’t going it alone. Due to venue limitations, some sports will take place outside California. Softball and canoe slalom are headed to Oklahoma City, while soccer fans in New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego will get to experience Olympic action firsthand. In total, there will be 49 competition venues, with a handful of events giving new cities a taste of Olympic fever.
The 2028 Games are also breaking new ground with their sports lineup. The International Olympic Committee has approved the addition of cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, baseball, and softball. Squash, in particular, will make its Olympic debut, while baseball and softball return after being omitted from the Paris 2024 schedule. Mixed team events in athletics, archery, golf, gymnastics, and table tennis will further diversify the competition, reflecting the IOC’s push for gender balance and innovation.
Fans eager to witness the action in person should take note: tickets will be distributed via a lottery system, with local residents granted early presale access at just $28 per ticket—a nod to LA’s role as the 28th Olympiad. The official LA Summer Games website provides details on registration and updates, and NBCUniversal will once again serve as the exclusive broadcaster for U.S. audiences.
As the world gears up for the 2028 spectacle, the Olympic tradition of passing the baton—quite literally—was on full display at recent closing ceremonies. The Paris 2024 handover to Los Angeles featured a Hollywood-worthy segment, with Tom Cruise abseiling from the Stade de France roof, grabbing the Olympic flag, and riding away on a motorbike. The show included musical performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, setting the tone for LA’s unique blend of sport and entertainment.
Looking further ahead, the Olympic roadmap is already mapped out through 2034. After Los Angeles, the Summer Olympics will travel to Brisbane, Australia, in 2032. Organizers there have launched a nationwide consultation process, focusing on the themes of Believe, Belong, and Become to guide preparations and inspire unity. Brisbane will host both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to Australia for the third time.
On the winter side, the French Alps will take center stage in 2030. The Olympic flag was officially passed to French organizers during the 2026 Milan Cortina closing ceremony in Verona, where mezzo-soprano Marine Chagnon delivered a modernized version of “La Marseillaise” and French athletes like Julia Simon and Mathis Desloges lit up the arena. The ceremony was described as “the opening chapter of a new era,” with dawn portrayed as a symbol of rebirth and potential. French Alps 2030 plans to use mostly existing or temporary venues—about 93 percent according to the International Olympic Committee—with events spread across Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Briançon, and Nice. Seven core sports are expected: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing, with a final decision on disciplines due in June 2026.
The tradition of passing the Olympic flag during closing ceremonies dates back to Melbourne 1956 and became a fixture by Montreal 1976. This symbolic handover underscores the continuity and renewal at the heart of the Olympic movement, as each host city adds its own chapter to a century-old story. The 2030 Winter Paralympics will follow from March 1 to March 10, 2030, further expanding the Games’ reach and impact.
Salt Lake City, Utah, will round out the next cycle by hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics. The city, which previously welcomed the world in 2002, plans to reuse ten of its thirteen competition venues, all within an hour of the Olympic Village. Events will be staged in Salt Lake City, Park City, Soldier Hollow, Snowbasin, and Provo, with organizers eager to build on the 2002 legacy and inspire a new generation of athletes.
As the Olympic calendar fills out, each host city brings its own flavor and ambition to the Games. Los Angeles promises a blend of sport and spectacle, Brisbane aims to unite a nation under the Olympic banner, and the French Alps are set to deliver a minimalist, sustainable festival of winter sport. With ticket sales already generating buzz and new sports poised to make their mark, the next decade of Olympic competition looks as bright as ever.
The Olympic flame may have been extinguished in Italy, but the spirit of competition, innovation, and global unity burns brighter than ever. From California to the French Alps, Brisbane to Salt Lake City, the world is ready to celebrate the power of sport—and the next chapter starts now.