Olympic Games

An Extraordinary World of Sport

The Summer Olympic Games bring international athletes and spectators together for an extraordinary range of sport. Athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, cycling and team events each create a different live experience.

This guide looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028, with competition spread across several venue zones and other US cities. Choose priority sports, understand the geography and leave time for the host-city atmosphere.

Follow a favourite; discover a sport you never expected to love.— THE TRAVEL LANTERN

Olympic Guide

A current LA28 planning guide within the wider Summer Olympic story. Verify exact sessions and venue zones before booking combinations.

1Olympic Overview

Attending the Summer Olympics means choosing among many different sporting experiences within one enormous operation. LA28 is the next edition, and its geography matters as much as the list of sports.

A modern international sporting occasion

The modern Olympic Games began in Athens in 1896 and developed into a global multi-sport event. The IOC provides the Olympic framework, while an organising committee delivers each edition with sporting federations, National Olympic Committees and many local partners. For spectators, that structure becomes a network of sessions, venues and ticket conditions.

This page concerns the Summer Games and looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028. The Paralympic Games are a separate event with their own dates, programme and ticketing. Do not assume a ticket, schedule or access rule applies to both simply because the host and some venues are shared.

Athletes and qualification

Athletes reach the Games through sport-specific qualification and selection processes. A familiar name may be a strong contender, but appearance is not guaranteed by an old result or an early publicity campaign. Entries, fitness and team selection can change.

Choose tickets for a sport and session you want to experience rather than treating an unconfirmed athlete as a promise. National teams and individual stories add meaning, but the contest itself remains uncertain. That is part of what distinguishes live sport from a predetermined show.

The scale of the sport programme

Athletics and swimming offer different rhythms from gymnastics, cycling, rowing or sailing. Team sports such as basketball, volleyball and football can occupy long sessions, while a combat-sport programme may introduce many individual contests. Tennis, archery, shooting, weightlifting and modern pentathlon bring further variety.

Do not assume every edition has the same sports and disciplines. LA28 includes additions and returns such as baseball/softball, cricket in T20 form, lacrosse sixes, flag football and squash. Use the current official programme when choosing, rather than copying a previous Games’ list.

Sessions are the practical unit

A ticket normally relates to a defined session, not unrestricted access to a sport for the whole day or the whole Games. The session can contain heats, several matches, qualification rounds or finals. Read exactly what is included and where it takes place.

A preliminary session can provide excellent sporting value and a broad introduction. A medal final has a different intensity but is not the only worthwhile experience. A balanced trip can combine both without depending entirely on the most sought-after ticket.

Ceremonies and competition

Opening and closing ceremonies express the occasion at a different scale from individual sports. LA28’s opening celebration is planned across the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Stadium in Inglewood, while the Olympic closing ceremony is at the Coliseum. Check the venue on the actual ticket; two locations do not imply a spectator can move between both.

Ceremony access does not include competition sessions, and a sporting ticket does not admit you to a ceremony. Treat each as a separate booking with its own arrival, security and departure requirements.

The host is a wider footprint

LA28 is not confined to one central Olympic park. Southern California zones include central Los Angeles, Exposition Park, Inglewood, Carson and Long Beach, among others. Some competition is much farther away, including softball and slalom paddle in Oklahoma City and football in other host cities.

This affects accommodation and daily combinations. Oklahoma City is a separate travel destination, not a convenient afternoon transfer from Los Angeles. Even two Southern California locations can require substantial time once venue exit, transport and security are included.

Venues and their character

A stadium, an indoor arena, a coastal venue and a water-sport site offer very different experiences. Visibility, weather exposure, sound and distance from the action can vary more than the ticket category name suggests. Read the seating and venue information for the exact session.

LA28’s plan makes extensive use of existing facilities. Familiar commercial names may differ from the names used for the Games, so match the official venue and zone rather than relying solely on a hotel map search. Check for updates before fixing a route.

Village, media and athlete areas

The Olympic Village is part of athletes’ living and operational environment, not an ordinary spectator attraction. A competition ticket does not provide access to it, to training areas, media positions or backstage zones. Public activities, where announced, have their own conditions.

Enjoy the atmosphere from authorised places and do not attempt to follow an athlete or accredited group through a restricted entrance. The special character of the Games does not remove normal boundaries around privacy, security and preparation.

Host-city atmosphere and legacy

The experience extends beyond a seat: international crowds, public celebrations and the city’s own neighbourhoods can make a short trip feel part of a larger occasion. Use confirmed public programming rather than assuming a particular fan zone or medal celebration will exist at a remembered location from another Games.

Legacy is also more than stadium imagery. Transport, community use and the effect on residents belong to the event’s context. Visitors can contribute by planning thoughtfully, using authorised routes and respecting everyday local life alongside the temporary sporting operation.

What makes attendance distinctive

Few events let you move between such different sporting worlds during one trip. A morning watching precise technique can contrast with an evening team match or a medal ceremony. The surprise may come from a sport you knew least about before arriving.

Choose two to four priorities, add one unfamiliar event and leave enough time to enjoy each. The strongest Olympic experience combines sporting attention, sensible geography and room for the host city. It is not measured by how many distant venues you can attempt in one day.

2When & Where

LA28’s Olympic ceremonies run from 14 to 30 July 2028, with some competition before the opening. Use the latest session schedule and venue map together; dates alone do not establish a workable day.

ChegadaMaratonaRio2016 — Matheus Soper · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

The next Summer Games

The next Summer Olympics are Los Angeles 2028. The opening ceremony is on 14 July and the closing ceremony on 30 July 2028. Some sporting sessions begin before the opening, so check the actual session date rather than assuming every ticket falls between the ceremonies.

Summer Games normally follow a four-year cycle, but each edition has its own calendar and arrangements. This guide does not recycle Paris or Rio ticketing, sport timing or transport rules as if they were LA28 instructions.

AUSxVEN — Rafael Henrique Serra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Host city and venue zones

LA28’s official plan includes multiple zones across Southern California and selected venues elsewhere in the United States. Central Los Angeles, Exposition Park, Inglewood, Carson and Long Beach are useful planning anchors, not one compact walkable site.

Start with the venue of your most important session and compare nearby sessions before choosing a hotel. A central-looking address is not automatically convenient for a coastal, suburban or distant regional event. The official zone map should drive the plan rather than a generic city-centre assumption.

Athletics and aquatics

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a central athletics venue, while swimming is planned at the 2028 Stadium in Inglewood. Other aquatic disciplines have their own venues. Do not interpret the word aquatics as a guarantee that swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming share one building.

The LA28 schedule also differs from familiar patterns at previous Games. Use the current official session plan for when track, field and pool finals occur rather than assuming a favourite sport always occupies the same week.

Indoor and specialist venues

Gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, combat sports and other arena events are distributed across the footprint. A familiar sport may have separate preliminary and final arrangements, and some disciplines use a different venue from others under the same broad sporting label.

Read the precise venue and session code on a ticket. Do not buy two sessions on the strength of their sport names alone. Entry queues, walking within the site and the time needed to leave a large crowd all matter between them.

Oklahoma City and football cities

Oklahoma City hosts softball and slalom paddle in the current LA28 plan. Football also uses venues beyond the Los Angeles region. These are separate travel decisions requiring their own accommodation and transport, not small extensions to a normal Los Angeles day.

If one of those sports is a priority, consider building a dedicated part of the trip around it. Do not schedule a Los Angeles evening session after an Oklahoma City event as if an urban shuttle connected them. Allow for intercity travel and the uncertainty that comes with it.

Opening ceremony

The Olympic opening celebration is planned across the Coliseum and the Stadium in Inglewood. Check what your particular ticket admits you to and do not assume it offers both locations or identical experiences. Published creative details and access instructions can develop before the event.

Arrive with ample time for transport, security and finding your seat. A same-day international flight creates unnecessary risk for an important fixed booking. Keep the late return in mind before committing to accommodation far from a dependable route.

Main competition and medal sessions

Heats, qualification, preliminary matches and medal sessions create different ways to experience a sport. Medal sessions may be highly sought after, but earlier rounds can offer a longer view of technique or several contests within one booking.

Check whether a session includes a medal ceremony and whether the exact sport or discipline you want is part of it. Weather-sensitive events and operational changes can affect the schedule. Keep official updates available and avoid claiming an athlete or outcome is guaranteed.

Closing ceremony and final days

The Olympic closing ceremony is planned for 30 July at the Coliseum. The end of the Games also brings final competitions, concentrated travel and the need to leave venues and the region. Do not assume an early flight the next morning will be comfortable after a long final night.

Allow a buffer for the return, packing and airport travel. If closing-night atmosphere is important but you do not hold a ceremony ticket, use only confirmed public options rather than assuming access to restricted venue surroundings.

Best days and combinations

Choose days around confirmed sessions in a manageable geographic area. One substantial session plus a relaxed city activity may be more enjoyable than three tightly packed bookings. If combining two, include venue exit, the actual transport route, meals and a new security entry.

A morning water-sport event, afternoon arena session and evening final is only sensible when the exact geography and times support it. It is a planning example, not a universal itinerary. Reject combinations that depend on every transfer going perfectly.

Best time to arrive

Reach the region before the first important booking where possible, then use the current spectator instructions for how early to reach the venue. A transport arrival time is not a seat arrival time. Security, walking and crowd flow require additional margin.

The detailed Games transport and spectator information continues to develop. Use current official updates rather than inventing a fixed shuttle frequency or transfer time. A good Olympic day has enough space for delays without sacrificing the sport you came to see.

Morning

Attend one confirmed session in your chosen zone, allowing for security.

Midday

Eat, rest and make a generous transfer only if the geography works.

Afternoon or evening

Choose a second session with sufficient time between venue exits and entrances.

After sport

Use a confirmed public fan activity or explore locally, then allow for the return.

3Event Advice

Plan around confirmed tickets, realistic geography and the conditions published for your actual session.

Start with a small set of priorities

Choose two or three sports that would make the journey worthwhile before comparing the entire programme. A balanced first visit might combine one stadium session, one indoor sport and a discipline you rarely see at home. The strongest experience is not necessarily the most expensive final: an early round can offer several contests and a longer introduction to the sport.

Write down the venue, date and session identifier for every shortlisted purchase. Check whether your preferred athlete could appear in that particular round, while accepting that qualification, selection and progression cannot be promised. Avoid building a non-refundable holiday around an unconfirmed individual appearance.

Use the current official ticket process

LA28’s latest ticket notice says the next general-public sales will take place in 2027 on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. Earlier registration and draw arrangements should not be treated as instructions for the next sale. Follow the official ticket website for the actual release, purchase limits and account requirements.

Every spectator, including a child, needs their own ticket under the published FAQ. Review the ticket’s sport, session, seating category and terms before paying. Treat unsolicited resale offers, social-media payment requests and packages without clear authorisation cautiously; a screenshot of a ticket is not a reliable guarantee of admission.

Separate admission from the rest of the budget

An event ticket does not automatically include flights, accommodation, meals, intercity travel or every transport service. Compare the total cost of a day rather than the headline seat price. Include local transfers, rest-day spending and a sensible reserve for changes or delayed arrivals.

Choose accommodation after mapping your confirmed venues. A cheaper room far from the relevant zone may add difficult late-night journeys. For a family or anyone with reduced mobility, reliable access and opportunities to rest can be worth more than fitting another event into the schedule.

Check entry requirements independently

International ticket buyers are welcome subject to applicable rules, but a ticket does not confer permission to enter the United States. Check the entry and passport requirements that apply to your nationality, travel history and circumstances through official government channels. Allow adequate time for any required application or appointment.

Keep travel documentation separate from your event wish list. Do not assume that holding a ticket will accelerate an immigration decision or remove a transit requirement. Where uncertainty remains, favour bookings with clear cancellation terms and avoid presenting tentative arrangements as confirmed travel.

Treat Los Angeles as a large region

Venue clusters are spread across a substantial urban area, and the Games footprint extends beyond it. A transfer between two familiar place names can still take a large part of a day. Add walking, queues, security and the final approach to the venue to any advertised journey estimate.

Use one main zone per day whenever possible. If a second session matters, leave a generous interval and confirm its return options as well as the outward journey. Oklahoma City and the other football host cities require separate intercity planning; they are not casual additions to a Los Angeles afternoon.

Plan for transit and evolving operations

LA28 describes a transit-first approach, with public transport, dedicated services and park-and-ride arrangements forming part of its planning. Detailed operating information is still developing. Do not assume that a normal city timetable, an old Games plan or a privately suggested shuttle will represent the final spectator service.

Recheck the official transport guidance when your dates approach. Save the venue’s designated arrival point and a practical return route offline. Leave room for queues after a popular evening session and avoid booking an onward flight immediately after an event that could run late.

Prepare for heat, sun and long days

Southern California in July can mean strong sun and warm conditions, although coastal and inland venues can feel quite different. Bring appropriate sun protection and comfortable footwear, and build indoor breaks into the day. Follow the venue’s current policy for water bottles and permitted supplies rather than assuming that every item will pass security.

Evening temperatures and air-conditioned interiors can justify a light layer. Check the actual forecast, air-quality information and event notices close to the visit. A manageable schedule with meals and rest will usually deliver a better experience than standing in queues from morning until midnight.

Arrange accessibility around the specific venue

LA28’s accessibility information outlines accessible transport planning, seating and spectator support, but the useful details depend on the venue and session. Check accessible ticket categories, companion arrangements, routes from transport stops and the assistance available before purchasing. Do not assume that a standard ticket can be exchanged at the gate.

Discuss particular requirements through the organiser’s official support channels. Include extra time for boarding, security and busy pedestrian routes. Anyone travelling with medication, mobility equipment or other necessary items should consult the published spectator conditions and request clarification where the rules are not yet specific.

Keep bags, phones and documents manageable

Take the smallest practical bag permitted by the final venue rules. Save tickets and essential directions before leaving a dependable connection, and bring a charged phone with a suitable power backup if allowed. Keep identity documents and payment methods secure without having to expose them every time you search for a seat number.

Bag dimensions, prohibited items and camera restrictions may differ from ordinary sporting events. Recheck the current official conditions instead of relying on a list from Paris, Tokyo or a previous Los Angeles visit. Security staff, not a travel article, determine what can enter on the day.

Leave space for changes and enjoyment

Competition programmes, weather and operational instructions can change. Read messages from the ticket provider and organiser, and check the session again before setting off. A flexible meal booking or an uncommitted evening can absorb a delay more comfortably than a chain of tightly timed reservations.

The Games are also about the atmosphere between contests: volunteers, spectators from many countries and the gradual understanding of an unfamiliar sport. Allow time to watch rather than constantly transfer. Respect staff instructions and fellow spectators, especially when a crowded concourse or late finish makes patience valuable.

4How to Experience

Build a visit around a few well-chosen sessions and enough time to enjoy each venue.

The first-time Olympic visit

For a first visit, choose a small number of confirmed sessions across contrasting sports. A large athletics or swimming setting can provide the scale people associate with the Games, while a smaller indoor arena may make tactics and the rhythm of competition easier to follow. Neither requires a medal final to feel memorable.

Begin with the tickets you can actually obtain, then shape the city itinerary around them. Read the basic rules before arrival and learn how qualification within the session works. That preparation turns an unfamiliar event from a sequence of announcements into a contest you can understand and enjoy.

A day built around one venue zone

Select one principal venue or nearby cluster as the anchor for the day. Arrive with time to clear security, locate your seat and find water or food before play begins. Keep any nearby walk or sightseeing stop optional so that a queue or altered arrival instruction does not jeopardise admission.

If two sessions are genuinely compatible, compare their end and start times with the complete door-to-door transfer. Leave a meal break and account for the crowd leaving the first venue. A session that overruns, or simply deserves your full attention until its conclusion, should not create an immediate race across the region.

Heats, preliminary rounds and discovery

Early rounds can be excellent introductions to a sport because they may include multiple heats or matches. They can also offer a broader view of competitors than a short final. Check the session description carefully: the quantity and format of competition differ between sports, and no specific athlete is guaranteed to advance.

Choose a discipline for its interest rather than treating preliminary sessions as substitutes of lesser value. Watch warm-ups where visible, read the scoreboard and notice how spectators follow the rules. The surprise of discovering a new sport is one of the strongest reasons to attend more than one type of event.

Medal sessions and ceremonial moments

A medal session concentrates sporting stakes and emotion, but ticket demand and prices can make it a substantial commitment. Confirm exactly which rounds and presentations the ticket includes. A familiar event name does not mean that every competition phase is covered by the same seat or session.

Stay through the end where practical, while allowing for the later journey home. Medal ceremonies can be moving, but their timing and inclusion should be checked rather than assumed. If the ticket you want is unavailable, a different sport may provide a richer day than spending the whole visit chasing an uncertain resale.

Opening and closing ceremonies

LA28 plans an opening ceremony across the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the 2028 Stadium in Inglewood on 14 July 2028. The closing ceremony is planned for the Coliseum on 30 July. These are distinct venue experiences; do not assume that an opening-ceremony ticket admits you to both locations.

Check the exact product, location and arrival instructions before booking. Ceremony nights can mean lengthy entry procedures and heavy demand for return transport. Treat them as the principal commitment of the day, and avoid promising yourself another tightly timed event before or afterwards.

Families and mixed-interest groups

Discuss priorities before purchasing so that one enthusiast’s ideal schedule does not become everyone else’s exhausting obligation. Shorter or more varied sessions may work well for some groups, but the actual format matters more than the sport’s reputation. Every child needs a ticket under the published LA28 FAQ.

Plan meals, toilets and rest as part of the experience. Agree on a meeting point if separated and keep essential contact information available offline. For spectators who need a quieter pace, a single well-chosen session with a relaxed start can be more satisfying than a full day of transfers and queues.

Following one sport in depth

A visitor with a particular sporting interest may prefer several sessions at the same venue. This reduces geographical complexity and allows the competition narrative to develop over several days. Check which stages are ticketed separately and whether the later rounds depend on results that cannot be predicted.

Leave a free interval between major commitments to recover, explore the surrounding area or respond to programme changes. Do not assume that access to training areas, athlete accommodation or restricted facilities is included. The Olympic Village is not a general sightseeing attraction for ticket holders.

Combining the Games with Los Angeles

Use non-competition days for neighbourhoods, museums, the coast or other interests, chosen around your accommodation and current local access. Keep sightseeing plans geographically coherent. Los Angeles is rewarding beyond its sporting venues, but a long list of landmarks can become another transport challenge during a busy period.

Official public celebrations and fan spaces may add atmosphere when announced. Check whether they require reservations, have capacity limits or operate on particular dates. Do not advertise an unconfirmed fan zone as a guaranteed alternative to a ticket, and distinguish public activities from controlled event sites.

Events beyond the Los Angeles region

The LA28 plan includes softball and canoe slalom in Oklahoma City, as well as football in several other US cities. These locations can form worthwhile visits in their own right. They require separate accommodation, airport or rail planning and a realistic allowance for intercity travel.

Choose such a branch because the sport or destination matters to you, not because it looks like a simple addition to a Los Angeles day. Confirm the precise venue and competition date before booking transport. A multi-city trip should have recovery time and a clear final destination rather than a sequence of overnight connections.

A realistic ending to the trip

Keep the last competition day and departure day sensibly separated, especially after an evening event. Check airport access from the actual place you will stay, and allow for both city traffic and airline procedures. A final session is not enjoyable if you spend it worrying about missing a flight.

The best Olympic visit leaves a few vivid memories rather than an unreadable collection of ticket confirmations. Prioritise the sport, the people and the shared atmosphere. Keep the rest of the schedule flexible enough to enjoy a close contest, an unexpected favourite or a slower journey back.

5Photo Guide

Photograph the sporting occasion respectfully, with the equipment and access your ticket actually permits.

Check the rules before packing

Read the current spectator conditions for your particular venue and session before deciding which camera to bring. Professional equipment, interchangeable lenses, long lenses, tripods or other accessories may be restricted, but final rules should be checked rather than guessed from a previous Games. A ticket is admission to watch sport, not a media credential.

Keep the setup compact enough to use from your own seat without obstructing anyone. If an item is prohibited, do not expect storage at the gate or an exception because you travelled far. When conditions are unclear, ask the organiser through its official support channels before the day.

Build a story beyond the winning moment

A useful set of photographs includes the approach, venue architecture, crowds, the field of play and small details that explain the sport. Take a few establishing views before concentrating on action. The scale of a stadium can be as expressive as a distant athlete photographed at the limits of a phone zoom.

Look for the relationship between spectators and the contest rather than producing dozens of nearly identical frames. A scoreboard, a line of competitors or a wide view of the arena may communicate the occasion clearly. Avoid photographing tickets, credentials or personal documents where barcodes and identifying details remain readable.

Action from a spectator seat

For a camera that is permitted, a fast shutter speed can help freeze movement, while a burst can capture a short decisive sequence. Start with settings you understand and adjust to the light. Indoor arenas may require a higher ISO than a bright outdoor venue, and the practical result depends on your equipment and distance.

Anticipate where the action will pass rather than swinging the camera continuously. Respect seated sightlines and do not stand in an aisle to improve the angle. A well-timed wider frame is preferable to a blurred, heavily enlarged subject or a photograph obtained by blocking another spectator’s view.

Using a phone well

Clean the lens, hold the phone steadily and use the main camera where possible. Avoid excessive digital zoom; a wider photograph that includes the venue often survives enlargement better. Tap to set exposure and focus, especially when a bright field of play sits against a darker audience.

Use short bursts sparingly and review them during natural breaks. Save enough battery for tickets, directions and communication rather than spending it all on video. Carrying a permitted power bank can help, but the admission rules should be checked for that item as well as for cameras.

Stadium light and changing exposure

Bright afternoon sun, floodlights and shaded seating produce very different photographic conditions. Protect highlights on white uniforms and bright screens, and expect some compromise when the audience is much darker than the competition surface. Check the first few frames rather than discovering afterwards that every image is overexposed.

At evening sessions, let the lighting explain the atmosphere instead of forcing every shadow to look like daylight. Avoid flash where prohibited or distracting; from a distant seat it is unlikely to help the action anyway. Follow staff announcements and sport-specific instructions throughout the session.

Ceremonies and large-scale scenes

Opening and closing ceremonies can reward a wide composition showing performers, lighting and the shape of the stadium. Plan around the view from your assigned seat. A dramatic official broadcast angle may have been made from a camera platform that spectators cannot access.

Keep expectations realistic when performers are far away or lighting changes rapidly. Choose a few moments to photograph and put the phone down for the rest. Recording an entire ceremony through a raised screen can obstruct others while producing footage less memorable than the experience itself.

People, flags and international atmosphere

Spectators often bring colour and personality to the Games. Ask permission before making a close portrait, particularly of children, and accept a refusal without argument. A friendly conversation can add context that an unnoticed close-up cannot provide.

Use wider crowd photographs considerately and avoid focusing on someone in distress or a private situation. Do not treat volunteers or workers as props who must stop their duties for your picture. The shared atmosphere is best represented through respectful observation and genuine interaction.

Architecture and host-city context

Photograph the specific venue and its surroundings to distinguish your visit from a generic sporting image. The Coliseum’s historic character, an indoor arena’s scale and a coastal approach each tell a different story. Stay on public or authorised routes and obey temporary access restrictions.

Commercial venue names and Games-time names can differ, so label photographs carefully after checking the actual location. Do not confuse archival images from another host city with LA28 venues. The photographs in this guide are identified as historical Summer Games imagery, not previews of events that have already occurred in Los Angeles.

Weather, equipment and security

Carry only what you can comfortably manage through a long day. Protect equipment from heat, direct sun, spills and any forecast rain, while keeping bags compliant with admission rules. Avoid placing a camera where it becomes a trip hazard or blocks the row.

Keep backups when you return to a reliable connection, and store equipment discreetly during transfers. Do not photograph security procedures, restricted infrastructure or controlled areas where prohibited. If staff ask you to stop, follow the instruction rather than debating access during a busy entry period.

Select a small sequence with variety: one establishing view, a few sporting moments, a crowd detail and a sense of place. Keep colours and skin tones believable. Heavy sharpening and digital enlargement rarely rescue a distant subject and can make an otherwise useful record look artificial.

Caption the sport, venue, city and date accurately, and respect the applicable ticket and image-use terms. Do not imply official Olympic affiliation, commercial rights or privileged athlete access. A thoughtful personal record should celebrate the visit without misrepresenting either the event or the people shown.

Practical Information

Use official ticketing and the current venue map. Transport, entry and spectator details continue to develop before 2028.

Best Time to Arrive

Choose sessions by venue zone, and allow time for security, heat and the journey home.

How to Get There

Match accommodation and transport to confirmed venues; LA28’s detailed spectator operations are still developing.

What to Bring

Bring your ticket, required documents, a charged phone and only items allowed by the venue.

What to Expect

Expect a large, ticketed sporting event with queues, security, busy transfers and a varied international crowd.

Photo Gallery

Sixteen archival Rio 2016 photographs across swimming, athletics, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, judo, tennis, archery, cycling, stadiums and ceremonies. They illustrate Olympic variety and do not predict LA28 athletes, results or venue appearance.

Olympic and visitor sources

Reviewed 5 November 2026. LA28’s current notice says the next general-public Olympic ticket sales will be in 2027 on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. Check later updates before planning purchases.

LA28 sport and schedule plan · Current venues · Official ticket information · Travel planning · Accessibility · Ceremony venues

The Travel Lantern is an independent guide, not affiliated with the IOC, LA28, National Olympic Committees or sponsors.

Photo credits and licenses

2016 rio 15 08 102 (29009563421) — Catholympique from Mandelieu, France · CC BY-SA 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

ChegadaMaratonaRio2016 — Matheus Soper · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Adam Peaty Olympics 100m breaststroke 2016 — Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil · CC BY 3.0 br. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Ablyazin, Petrounias, Zanetti Rio 2016 — ( Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil) · CC BY 3.0 br. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Arena Carioca 1 — Parque Olímpico RIO 2016 — Leonardo Mattos da Costa · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

AUSxVEN — Rafael Henrique Serra · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Brasil vs China — Vôlei Feminino — Quartas de Final — Rio 2016 — Rwjabour · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Competitions in judo at the 2016 Olympics 08 — Roberto Castro/Brasil2016.gov.br · CC BY 3.0 br. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

1036014–08082016- mg 1196 — agenciabrasil · CC BY 3.0 br / CC BY-SA 3.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Archery at Sambódromo (Rio de Janeiro, BRA) 2016 — Jorge mello ej · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Rio 2016 — Track cycling 13 August (CT004) (28560977703) — Sander van Ginkel · CC BY-SA 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Rio 2016 — Track cycling 13 August (CT004) (28832878814) — Sander van Ginkel · CC BY-SA 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Rio 2016 (28143831334) — Jonas de Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil · CC BY-SA 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

Rio 2016 (28143832384) — Jonas de Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil · CC BY-SA 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

05 08 2016 Cerimônia de Abertura dos Jogos Olímpicos Rio 2016 (27913244257) — Michel Temer · CC BY 2.0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.

2016 Olympics Rio closing ceremony — Matthias Lemm · CC0. Displayed with responsive cropping; see source for original.