Four Cities to Host Olympic Qualifier Series for LA28 Games

Key facts

• Tokyo, Shanghai, Montreal, and Orlando will host the Olympic Q-Series in 2028.
• The series serves as a qualifier for multiple urban sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Six sports featured are 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding.
• Tokyo will host the first event from May 4-7, 2028.
• The Olympic Q-Series is a successor to the Olympic Qualifier Series held in 2024.
• Over 100,000 spectators attended the 2024 Olympic Qualifier Series events in Shanghai and Budapest.
• The International Olympic Committee will not move summer sports to the 2030 Winter Games.

Global Cities Chosen for LA28 Olympic Qualifiers

Tokyo and Shanghai have been selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host qualifying events for various urban sports leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. These major Asian metropolises will be joined by Montreal, Canada, and Orlando, Florida, in the United States, forming the quartet of host cities for the Olympic Q-Series, formerly known as the Olympic Qualifier Series. The specific urban sports programs for each location are yet to be announced, but the series will feature disciplines including 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding. The Summer Games themselves are scheduled to commence in mid-July 2028.

A New Format for Athlete Visibility and Fan Engagement

IOC President Kirsty Coventry described the Olympic Q-Series as a "global event on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games," aimed at enhancing athlete visibility and global fan engagement. The series is designed to be a high-energy festival experience, bringing together sport, music, and culture in iconic urban settings. "We believe the Olympic Q-Series will be really exciting for fans and for the host cities," Coventry stated, emphasizing the close proximity fans will have to the action. The format promises fast-paced competition featuring world-class athletes with a significant focus on youth engagement.

Climbing's Path to LA28

Climbing has been confirmed as one of the six sports on the Olympic Q-Series program, an expanded format designed to guide athletes toward the LA28 Olympic Games. While final program details for each stop are still being confirmed, climbing will be part of the events in Tokyo, Shanghai, Montreal, and Orlando between May and June 2028. Qualification events in 2027, organized with World Climbing, will provide approximately 50% of the LA28 spots. The Olympic Q-Series will then allocate the remaining places, with a minimum of four for Boulder and Lead disciplines and six for Speed, though additional spots may be available based on host country and Universality places.

Event Schedule and Qualification Pathways

Tokyo is slated to be the inaugural host city, with its qualifying events scheduled from May 4 to 7, 2028. The series will then proceed to Shanghai a week later, followed by the North American venues in June. This Olympic Q-Series represents the final qualification opportunity for athletes in these six sports. The qualification process began in 2027 with events like the European Games and Pan American Games, alongside the World Climbing Championship and continental events. Host nation USA is guaranteed one spot per gender, per discipline, and one Universality place is also available.

Lessons from the Inaugural Series

The Olympic Q-Series builds upon the foundation of the 2024 Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS), which served as a crucial stepping stone for athletes in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, and sport climbing to earn final qualification points for the Paris 2024 Games. Those inaugural events, held in Shanghai and Budapest, attracted more than 100,000 spectators and showcased significant drama. A notable statistic reveals that 23 out of the 36 medallists in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, and sport climbing at the Paris 2024 Games had also competed, and often podiumed, at the 2024 OQS, underscoring the series' importance in identifying future Olympic champions.

IOC's Stance on Winter Games Crossovers and Esports

In parallel with the Q-Series announcements, the IOC has clarified its position on integrating summer sports into the Winter Olympics. President Kirsty Coventry confirmed that the committee has decided against moving any summer sports to the 2030 French Alps Winter Games, stating "no summer sports, no crossover sports." Discussions regarding such a crossover for the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City will be addressed separately. Regarding esports, Coventry indicated that the IOC's Esports Commission has paused its activities as the organization currently prioritizes its "core business," while still exploring the potential future role of esports within the Olympic movement.

Belarusian Athletes and Olympic Charter Compliance

The IOC Executive Board also announced a shift in policy concerning Belarusian athletes. The board no longer recommends restrictions on their participation in international tournaments. This decision comes amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Belarus being an ally of Russia. The IOC cited that Belarus's National Olympic Committee is "in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter" as the basis for this revised recommendation, signaling a move towards broader inclusivity for athletes from the nation.

The bottom line

• The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature a qualifying series across four global cities: Tokyo, Shanghai, Montreal, and Orlando.
• Six urban sports—3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding—will be central to the Olympic Q-Series.
• The series aims to increase athlete visibility and fan engagement through a festival-like atmosphere in iconic urban locations.
• Climbing qualification for LA28 will be split between 2027 events and the 2028 Olympic Q-Series.
• The IOC has ruled out incorporating summer sports into the 2030 Winter Games, deferring discussions to the 2034 edition.
• Restrictions on Belarusian athletes' participation in international tournaments are no longer recommended by the IOC.