Long Beach has been selected by the Olympic Federation of Ireland to establish its Team Hospitality House for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which plans to bring a dynamic, entertaining and culturally significant fan experience to the city.
Mayor Rex Richardson announced this selection during the annual State of the City on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Representatives from the Olympic Federation of Ireland joined the mayor on stage at the Terrace Theater to deliver the news to the Long Beach community.
With a large Irish American community, a bustling downtown tourism and entertainment district and a central location to the 2028 Games, Long Beach will serve as a prime location for Team Ireland House, officials said.
This is the third National Hospitality House Long Beach has secured for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“As we prepare for the Games, Long Beach will host International Hospitality Houses. These are places where countries create cultural homes, welcome athletes and visitors, and invite our community to experience their traditions firsthand,” Richardson said during the address. “Tonight, we’re proud to welcome another nation to our growing international community of hospitality houses. Tonight, we say welcome to Ireland.”
Team Ireland House will be located at the Ovation Square event space on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach during the duration of the 2028 Summer Games.
The Irish House plans to deliver a wide variety of cultural programming, events and showcases, live entertainment, athlete and family gatherings, sponsor activations, retail and exhibition experiences, and more, according to a press release.
“The Ireland Team House will transform the 2028 Games from something people simply watch into something they truly experience,” First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas said in a statement. “This will be a dynamic gathering place where residents, families, visitors and athletes come together to celebrate culture, build community and feel connected to something global, right in the heart of Downtown Long Beach. It represents the kind of bold, inclusive vision that elevates our entire city.”
The Olympic Federation of Ireland will also host youth engagement opportunities through its Dare to Believe program, which aims to inspire young people through an interactive curriculum that explores and brings Olympic values to life. More information about the Team Ireland House will be shared as the Games approach, according to a press release. Once plans for activities and events become more solidified, they will be reviewed and finalized pending the approval of applicable permits.
“We are thrilled to bring Team Ireland House to Long Beach for LA 2028,” Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said in a statement. “Ovation Square offers a world-class venue in a city that is deeply engaged with the Games and eager to welcome the Irish community.
“With so many Olympic and Paralympic events taking place nearby, it will be a natural gathering point for athletes, families and supporters,” Sherrard added. “We look forward to creating a vibrant home for Ireland on the West Coast.”
Long Beach continues to be a sought-after destination by National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees and other stakeholders to activate space for the 2028 Games, officials said. Team Houses are temporary hospitality venues set up by a country’s NOC or NPC to serve as special event and gathering spaces, most often used to celebrate national culture and host a variety of public and private special events.
As a venue city for the 2028 Summer Games, Long Beach is set to stage the largest number of sporting events — with 11 — outside the host city of Los Angeles .
This announcement also marks the first confirmed activation of a local business space as part of the city’s online interest form for property owners interested in renting out their spaces to Games stakeholders, according to a press release.
“Long Beach continues to prepare for the 2028 Games with intentionality, vision and a clear focus on delivering experiences that are both world-class and deeply rooted in our community,” City Manager Tom Modica said in a statement. “Team Houses are a key part of that approach – and with the Irish Team House, they are bringing a thoughtfully planned space that supports international partners while activating our city in ways that create connection, visibility and lasting value for residents.”
With Ireland’s announcement, Long Beach is the first city in the region to secure three confirmed National Hospitality Houses for the 2028 Games. Long Beach has also been selected by the Hellenic Olympic Committee as the location for Greece’s first Team House at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, and by the National Olympic Committee of Denmark as the location for the official House of Denmark at the Westin Long Beach.
“We are proud to welcome the Team Ireland House for the 2028 Games and look forward to seeing this cultural space come alive with community connection, celebration and shared experiences for people of all ages,” Richardson said in a statement. “As Long Beach continues to welcome Team Hospitality Houses, we are demonstrating firsthand the global confidence placed in our beautiful city.”
More information about Long Beach’s commitment to the LA28 Games is available at longbeach.gov/2028Games.