The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on May 7 that Shanghai, China, along with Tokyo (Japan), Montreal (Canada), and Orlando (USA), will each host a leg of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Qualifier Series. The events are scheduled to take place from May to June 2028. This marks the second time the series will be held in Shanghai, following the success of the 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifier Series.
The Tokyo leg will run from May 4 to May 7, 2028; Shanghai from May 11 to May 14; Montreal from June 1 to June 4; and the Orlando final from June 8 to June 11. The specific sports for each location are yet to be finalized, but the planned lineup includes 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, sport climbing, flag football, and skateboarding. BMX freestyle, sport climbing, and skateboarding were featured in the inaugural 2024 Olympic Qualifier Series, while 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, and flag football are new additions.
The Olympic Qualifier Series was launched by the IOC during the Paris Olympiad to maintain Olympic momentum and attract younger audiences, as part of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 reforms. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This edition of the Qualifier Series is an exciting global event on the path to the Los Angeles Games. With one format, four stops, and six sports, it aims to increase athlete exposure and engage fans worldwide. We believe the series will be spectacular for sports enthusiasts and host cities alike, offering a festival-like experience combining sports, music, and culture in iconic urban settings.”
Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shanghai and Budapest each hosted a leg of the Qualifier Series, receiving positive feedback. For 2028, the Shanghai event will be held on the city’s West Bund, a core part of the world-class “One River, One Creek” waterfront area. According to the Shanghai Sports Bureau, the decision to host the series again is based on the successful experience in 2024, with the aim to further build a global event that empowers both youth and the city. The bureau emphasized the vision of “Youth, Urban, Creativity, Energy,” hoping to integrate youthful and trendy urban sports into daily life and cultivate loyal audiences and enthusiasts.
