Oklahoma chosen as venue for softball and canoe slalom at LA28 Olympics

The Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 are set to include venues in Oklahoma City, approximately 1,300 miles away from the host city. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Los Angeles and ensuring the success of the Games. Softball events will be held at the 13,000-seat Devon Park, with improvements over the years enhancing the facility's capabilities. Riversport OKC in Oklahoma City will also host canoe slalom events, building on its experience from hosting the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. The amended venue plan for the 2028 Olympics revealed by LA28 includes holding swimming events at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with a capacity of 38,000 seats. This change aligns with sustainability measures by utilizing existing venues and saving costs. The plan also involves moving swimming to the second week of the Olympics, swapping its traditional closing position with track and field. Both World Aquatics and World Athletics have approved this rearrangement. Softball and canoe slalom will take place in Oklahoma City due to the lack of suitable existing venues in Los Angeles. The decision to use world-class venues in Oklahoma aligns with the goal of minimizing the construction of new facilities. The venue changes are pending approval from the city of Los Angeles, which must agree to any extensions beyond its borders. The updated plan aims to provide a Hollywood-worthy stage for athletes while achieving significant cost savings and generating new revenue to maintain a balanced budget. Track and field events will be hosted at USC's Memorial Coliseum, marking the venue's third time hosting this sport in the Olympics. The strategic use of existing venues and the collaboration between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City reflect a comprehensive approach to organizing the 2028 Olympic Games.