Los Angeles is a huge city spread across 500 square miles. The 2028 Olympics will use venues across at least five distinct geographic zones, and understanding where each one is will save you significant time and confusion. This guide breaks down each venue zone in plain English — what's there, what sports you'll watch, and how to reach each one from common base neighborhoods.
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is the marquee venue of the 2028 Games. It's a state-of-the-art NFL stadium with a capacity of around 70,000. Expect it to host the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, and athletics track & field events. Inglewood has developed significantly over the past decade and now has a vibrant food and entertainment district within walking distance of the stadium.
Getting there: The Metro C Line (Green Line) runs to Inglewood. On event days, enhanced Metro service is expected. From LAX it's roughly 5 miles — a rideshare takes 15–25 minutes outside traffic. See our full LAX transport guide for options.
Stay nearby: Several hotel clusters exist around Inglewood and the LAX corridor. See our SoFi Stadium accommodation guide.
Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) sits in the heart of Downtown LA. It's the home of the Lakers and the Kings, and seats around 20,000. For LA28, it's expected to host basketball and possibly boxing. The surrounding LA Live complex has dozens of restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options all within a 5-minute walk.
Getting there: Easily the best-connected zone by Metro. The Metro A Line (Blue) and E Line (Expo) both stop at 7th/Metro Center, a 5-minute walk. The Metro B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple) stop at Pershing Square. No car needed at all for this zone.
Stay nearby: Downtown LA has a broad range of hotels from budget to luxury, many walkable to Crypto.com Arena. See our Downtown LA neighborhood guide.
UCLA's campus in Westwood will serve as the Olympic Village and host multiple indoor events. Pauley Pavilion, UCLA's basketball arena, is expected to host artistic gymnastics and volleyball. The UCLA campus is large and easily navigable on foot once you're there.
Getting there: UCLA is accessible via the Metro E Line (Expo) to Westwood/Rancho Park station, followed by a short bus or bike connection. A direct UCLA shuttle service is also expected to be added for the Games. From Santa Monica, it's a short Metro or Uber ride. From LAX, a rideshare takes 20–35 minutes (traffic permitting).
Stay nearby: Westwood and Santa Monica are the most convenient base neighborhoods for this zone. See our Santa Monica guide.
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is one of the most iconic stadiums in the United States. It has hosted FIFA World Cup matches and numerous Super Bowls. For LA28, it's expected to host football (soccer) events. Pasadena itself is a beautiful, walkable city with excellent restaurants and a charming Old Town district near the stadium.
Getting there: Pasadena is the most logistically demanding venue. Metro's L Line (Gold) runs to Pasadena, but the Rose Bowl stadium itself requires a short additional connection. On event days, enhanced shuttle services from Metro stations are expected. From most base neighborhoods, budget 60–90 minutes door to door. See our Rose Bowl venue guide.
Stay nearby: Staying in Pasadena puts you closest to the Rose Bowl. See our Pasadena neighborhood guide for hotel options.
Long Beach will likely host aquatic and water sports events, leveraging its extensive harbor and indoor arena. Long Beach Arena has hosted major boxing and entertainment events. The waterfront area around Rainbow Harbor is scenic and has numerous dining options.
Getting there: The Metro A Line (Blue) runs directly from Downtown LA to Long Beach. From LAX, connect via the Metro C and A Lines, or take a direct rideshare (35–55 minutes without traffic).
Stay nearby: Long Beach has a range of hotels near the harbor and convention center. It's also a reasonable base if you have tickets to multiple waterfront events.
Hollywood and Central LA are less venue-heavy but strategically central. The Hollywood Bowl may host cultural events during the Games. Banc of California Stadium in DTLA has been discussed for football events. This zone is best treated as a base rather than a destination for specific Olympic events.
Getting there: Metro B Line (Red) runs directly to Hollywood/Highland. Central LA is well-served by Metro across multiple lines.
The most important thing to understand is that LA's venue zones are spread out — you cannot easily visit two zones in the same evening on a budget timeline. Here's a practical way to think about it:
Our free planner helps you group tickets and accommodation by zone so you're not fighting cross-city traffic.
Get the free itinerary plannerHow many Olympic venues does LA28 have?
As of mid-2025, LA28 is confirmed to use a distributed model across the greater LA area. The exact number and full assignment of sports to venues is still being finalised. Check la28.org for the most up-to-date official list.
Which LA28 venue is closest to LAX?
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is closest to LAX — roughly 5 miles. It's expected to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as athletics events.
Can I get to all LA28 venues without a car?
Yes, though some venues require more planning. Downtown LA, Inglewood, and Pasadena are all Metro-accessible. UCLA/Westwood and Long Beach require Metro plus a short additional connection. Rideshare fills the gaps effectively for venues where Metro drops you further away.
Where should I stay if I have tickets to multiple venue zones?
Downtown LA or Koreatown are the most central options with strong Metro access in multiple directions. Santa Monica is great for the UCLA zone. Pasadena is best if you have primarily Rose Bowl tickets.
Related: LAX to Every Venue | Car-Free LA Guide | Stay Near SoFi