Tokyo, Shanghai to Host Olympic Qualifier Series for LA28 Games

Key facts

• Tokyo and Shanghai will host events in the Olympic Q-Series.
• The Olympic Q-Series is a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Six urban sports will be featured: 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding.
• The series will take place in May and June 2028.
• Tokyo is the first scheduled stop for the qualifying events.
• The Q-Series aims to boost athlete visibility and global fan engagement.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has paused plans for esports participation.

Global Cities Selected for Olympic Qualifier Series

Tokyo and Shanghai have been chosen as host cities for the upcoming Olympic Q-Series, a crucial set of qualifying events leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that these two major Asian metropolises will be joined by Montreal, Canada, and Orlando, Florida, in the United States, to stage the expanded series. The specific urban sports programs for each location are yet to be detailed, but the lineup is confirmed to include 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding. This initiative marks a significant step in preparing athletes for the LA28 Games, aiming to generate excitement and engagement on a global scale.

A New Format for Athlete Qualification

The Olympic Q-Series, formerly known as the Olympic Qualifier Series, builds upon a format introduced by the IOC ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. The inaugural series saw Shanghai and Budapest host events for urban sports, providing a dramatic stage for athletes to secure their Olympic berths. For the 2028 cycle, the series has been expanded to four cities, underscoring its growing importance in the Olympic qualification pathway. This expanded format is designed to offer a more comprehensive and engaging experience for both athletes and fans, bringing the action to iconic urban settings.

Timeline and Host City Roles

Tokyo is slated to be the inaugural host city, with qualifying events scheduled from May 4 to 7, 2028. Following closely, Shanghai will host the series a week later, before the competition moves to the North American venues in Montreal and Orlando during June. The Summer Games themselves are set to commence in mid-July of the same year. The Japanese Olympic Committee has already outlined plans to utilize the Yoyogi Park area in central Tokyo for its events, signaling early preparations for this significant international gathering. The series aims to culminate in a high-energy festival atmosphere, blending sport, music, and culture in prominent global cities.

Focus on Athlete Visibility and Fan Engagement

IOC President Kirsty Coventry described the Olympic Q-Series as an "exciting global event on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games," with a core objective to "boost athlete visibility and global fan engagement." The series is envisioned as a fast-paced, high-energy spectacle that brings fans directly into the heart of the action. Coventry emphasized the festival-like atmosphere that will accompany the sports, featuring music and cultural elements. This approach is intended to captivate a wide audience, particularly the youth, by showcasing world-class athletes in dynamic urban environments. The IOC anticipates that the Q-Series will be a major draw, generating significant interest and participation.

Climbing's Path to LA28

Climbing has been confirmed as a key sport within the expanded Olympic Q-Series. While final program details for each stop are still being finalized, climbing disciplines will be part of the qualification process. Approximately 50% of the LA28 places for climbing will be allocated through qualification events in 2027, organized with World Climbing. The Olympic Q-Series will then distribute the remaining spots, with a minimum of four for Boulder and Lead, and six for Speed disciplines. Additional places may become available based on host country considerations and Universality places. Athletes will have multiple opportunities to qualify, including at the European Games, Pan American Games, World Climbing Championship, continental events, and the Q-Series itself. Host nation USA also secures one spot per gender, per discipline, alongside Universality places.

Broader IOC Decisions on Sports and Esports

Beyond the Q-Series, the IOC has made other significant decisions regarding future Olympic programs. President Kirsty Coventry confirmed that the committee will not proceed with plans to incorporate some summer sports into the 2030 French Alps Winter Games. This decision means there will be no crossover of summer sports into the upcoming Winter Olympics. Discussions regarding potential integration of summer sports into the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City will occur separately. In parallel, the IOC's Esports Commission has paused its activities, as the organization currently prioritizes its "core business." While acknowledging the potential of esports, the IOC stated it will continue to explore what a future involvement might entail.

Belarusian Athletes and Security Costs

In a separate development, the IOC Executive Board has revised its stance on the participation of Belarusian athletes in international tournaments. The board no longer recommends restrictions, citing that Belarus's National Olympic Committee is "in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter." This shift comes amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Belarus being an ally of Russia. Separately, projections for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics indicate substantial security costs, with the LAPD estimating expenses to reach $1.15 billion, according to a leaked memo. These figures highlight the extensive logistical and financial planning required for hosting the Games.

The bottom line

• The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature an expanded Olympic Q-Series, with qualifying events held in Tokyo, Shanghai, Montreal, and Orlando.
• Six urban sports—3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding—will be contested in the Q-Series.
• The series aims to enhance athlete visibility and global fan engagement, creating a festival atmosphere in host cities.
• Climbing qualification for LA28 will be distributed across various events in 2027 and 2028, including the Q-Series.
• The IOC has decided against moving summer sports to the 2030 Winter Olympics and has paused its esports initiatives.
• Belarusian athletes may no longer face restrictions on international participation, while security costs for LA28 are projected to exceed $1 billion.