ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando is one of four cities worldwide named as a host site for the Olympic Q-Series before the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles — joining Tokyo; Shanghai, China; and Montreal, the International Olympic Committee announced Thursday.
The Q-Series, which will make the four stops in summer 2028, serves as a key qualification pathway to the LA28 Olympic Games, for six sports — 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football and skateboarding. The sports that will be featured at each of the stops and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
Orlando will be the last stop of the series on June 8-11, 2028. Dates for the other stops are May 4-7, 2028 in Tokyo; May 11-14 in Shanghai and June 1-4 in Montreal.
“We believe the Olympic Q-Series will be really exciting for fans and for the host cities. The fans will be right there with the action — the festival feel, the sport, music, culture — coming to life in iconic cities,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. “It will be fast-paced and high-energy, with lots of action, world-class athletes and a huge focus on youth.”
The Q-Series will give athletes the opportunity to secure direct quota places just before the 2028 Games begin.
“We congratulate Orlando for building on a proud sport heritage by being selected to host the final Olympic Q-Series 2028 stop on the road to LA28,” said United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland. “The vision put forward by the community not only celebrates the outstanding athletes and competition, it invites all who love sport to come together to experience the magic of the Olympic Movement.”
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission, city of Orlando, Orange County, Visit Orlando and state officials have been working on locking up the event for nearly eight years, sports commission President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Siegel said.
“We are thrilled that the International Olympic Committee has selected Orlando as the host city for the final stop of the Olympic Q-Series 2028,” Siegel said. “This places Orlando on the road to the LA28 Summer Olympic Games and gives our region the opportunity to help shape an important chapter in the Olympic journey for hundreds of athletes as we build excitement from coast to coast. Our community has worked hard to build a reputation for hosting world-class global events, and this opportunity is another example of what can happen when our region comes together around a shared vision. … Together, we are ready to welcome the world, celebrate Olympic sport, and create an experience that will inspire athletes, fans, and residents for many years to come.”