The curtain has just closed on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, but the Olympic flame burns brighter than ever as the world’s attention pivots to a thrilling lineup of future Games. With a spectacular closing ceremony in Verona—featuring a moving performance of “La Marseillaise” by French mezzo-soprano Marine Chagnon and the symbolic passing of the Olympic flag to the French Alps 2030 organizers—the stage is set for a new era of Olympic history and excitement. The baton has officially been handed over, and the next chapters in the Olympic saga are already taking shape.
The Olympic calendar over the next decade is packed with firsts, returns, and ambitious plans. Los Angeles is poised to host the Summer Olympics in 2028, marking the city’s third time at the helm and the United States’ fifth outing as Summer Games host. The French Alps will welcome the world’s best winter athletes in 2030, and Salt Lake City, Utah, will see the Winter Olympics return in 2034, building on its storied 2002 legacy. Brisbane, Australia, rounds out the schedule as the host of the 2032 Summer Olympics, promising a fresh vision for the Olympic movement down under.
Let’s dive into the details of each upcoming Olympic Games, the venues, the new sports, and the stories already beginning to unfold.
Los Angeles 2028: The Summer Games Return Stateside
The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles from July 14 to July 30, 2028, following a dazzling opening ceremony on July 14. This marks the first time the Summer Olympics will return to the U.S. since Atlanta in 1996, and the City of Angels will reprise its Olympic hosting role for the first time since 1984. Los Angeles also previously hosted the Games in 1932, cementing its place as a historic Olympic city.
The numbers for LA28 are staggering: more than 15,000 athletes are expected to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics. The Games will feature 351 events—22 more than the Paris 2024 edition—spread across 49 competition venues. The lineup includes classic fan favorites like gymnastics, swimming, athletics, and basketball, alongside the debut of new and returning sports: cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, baseball, and softball.
Organizers have cleverly leveraged LA’s existing world-class venues. Basketball will take place at the Intuit Dome, baseball at Dodger Stadium, and golf at the Riviera Country Club. But the Olympic footprint will extend far beyond Southern California. Softball and canoe slalom, for example, will be held in Oklahoma City due to stadium capacity requirements. Soccer fans can look forward to preliminary matches scattered across New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego. This sprawling, multi-city approach not only showcases America’s sporting infrastructure but also brings the Olympic spirit to communities nationwide.
For fans eager to attend, tickets for LA28 are already in high demand. A lottery system is in place, with local residents benefiting from an early presale—some tickets priced as low as $28. According to the organizing committee, “more than 15,000 athletes are expected to compete in both the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.” NBCUniversal will remain the exclusive broadcaster in the U.S., ensuring wall-to-wall coverage across television and streaming platforms.
French Alps 2030: A Winter Wonderland Awaits
After a memorable handover at the Verona closing ceremony, anticipation is building for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, scheduled for February 1 to February 17, 2030. France is no stranger to the Winter Games, having previously hosted in 1924, 1968, and 1992. For 2030, the organizers are focused on sustainability and legacy: approximately 93 percent of competition sites will be existing or temporary structures, spread across Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Briançon, and Nice.
The program is expected to include seven core sports—biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing—though the International Olympic Committee will finalize the full lineup, including any additional disciplines and quotas, in June 2026. There’s even buzz about the possible inclusion of ice climbing, a nod to the region’s alpine heritage.
The handover ceremony in Verona was more than just a formality. As French Alps 2030 brand director Mathieu Sakkas put it, “The handover ceremony is the first chapter of our history, a story that is at the very beginning. It’s obviously a positive, elegant, minimalist message. At the same time, a thank you message to our Italian neighbours who have also staged the Games in the Alps and who have worked hard to bring the Winter Games back to Europe.” The performance, featuring athletes like Kevin Rolland and Cyprien Sarrazin, and Paralympic champions Marie Bochet and Benjamin Daviet, set the tone for an inspiring journey ahead.
Brisbane 2032: Australia’s Olympic Ambitions
Looking further ahead, the 2032 Summer Olympics will be held in Brisbane, Australia, from July 23 to August 8, 2032. Organizers have already unveiled a vision built on three pillars: Believe, Belong, and Become. This framework, developed through nationwide consultation, aims to inspire and unify the Australian public as the country prepares to host both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Brisbane Games promise to bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to the Olympic movement in the Southern Hemisphere.
Salt Lake City 2034: The Winter Olympics Come Home
The Olympic torch will return to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2034, with the Winter Games set for February 10 to February 26. Utah’s 2034 organizers plan to reuse ten of the thirteen competition venues from the 2002 Games, a testament to the enduring legacy of those facilities. All venues will be located within an hour of the Olympic Village, with competitions taking place in Salt Lake City, Park City, Soldier Hollow, Snowbasin, and Provo. Organizers have emphasized their commitment to “building on the 2002 legacy while extending the benefits of hosting to a new generation of athletes and communities.”
The Olympic Tradition Continues
The time-honored tradition of passing the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony—dating back to Melbourne 1956 and firmly established by Montreal 1976—remains a powerful symbol of continuity and renewal. Spectacular moments from recent ceremonies, like Tom Cruise’s daredevil handover at Paris 2024 and the star-studded performances in Long Beach, California, underscore the cultural significance and global reach of the Games.
With historic performances behind us and an ambitious Olympic roadmap ahead, fans and athletes alike have plenty to look forward to. The countdown to LA28 is on, and the Olympic flame is set to light up new cities, new sports, and new dreams in the years to come.