Columbus Set to Host Nine Matches for the LA28 Olympic Soccer Tournaments

Columbus, Ohio, has been selected to host nine matches during the LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournament in July 2028, marking the first time the city and state will host Olympic competitions. The matches will be played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Stadium, home of the Columbus Crew.

Match Schedule and Details

The LA28 Olympic Football Tournament will kick off on July 10, 2028, four days before the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Columbus will host a combined eight men’s and women’s group stage matches on July 10-11, July 13-14, and July 16, along with a men’s quarterfinal fixture on July 20 [1]. Kickoff times and specific opponents will be announced at a later date.

Ticket Information

Tickets for all Olympic sports, including the soccer matches in Columbus, will go on sale in April. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can register for the LA28 Ticket Draw on the official LA28 website (la28.org) until March 18. Additional ticket opportunities will be available as the Games approach [2].

A Collaborative Effort

The selection of Columbus as a host city is the result of collaboration between civic, state, and business leaders. The city joins New York, Nashville, St. Louis, San Diego, and San José as U.S. Host cities for the soccer tournament, with the final matches taking place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California [3].

Statements from Key Leaders

“The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games selecting Columbus for nine LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournament matches shows the magnitude of collaboration with civic, state and business leaders to create world-class venues that drive economic impact through sports and major events. Columbus continues to prove its position as a destination for soccer at the highest levels of competition, and we are committed to strengthening that reputation to benefit our fans, and community.” – David Jenkins, President, Haslam Sports Group

“With nine LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournament matches, we have a unique opportunity to showcase our incredible soccer venues, Columbus and its passion for men’s and women’s soccer. For nearly two weeks, fans from across the globe will come together through the power of sports whereas enjoying everything our city has to offer beyond the pitch, creating a lasting impact in the region. The Crew are passionate about advancing soccer and will continue to identify ways to grow the game in Ohio, along with great support from community leaders, local businesses and fans.” – Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations, Columbus Crew

“Hosting nine LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) matches is a truly historic moment for Columbus as a city and a sports destination. We were honored to be chosen as one of a handful of cities to be part of this tournament and we are eagerly looking forward to showing why Columbus is a top tier market for hosting major events. We are working closely with the Crew and local officials to prepare to host teams, fans and media from all over the world.” – Linda Logan, CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission

Tournament Structure and Player Rest

The LA28 organizers are implementing a match distribution strategy that will see the tournament progress from east to west across the United States. This approach, combined with the extended competition window, will provide players with two additional rest days compared to previous Olympic Games, particularly after the group stage and quarterfinal matches [4].