Rugby Sevens' stadium for the LA Olympic in 2028 confirmed
After it’s star turn in Paris last year, Rugby Sevens has been officially confirmed for Carson Stadium at the LA28 Olympic Games.
The venue is home to Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy and will host both the men’s and women’s competitions in LA28. The pitch has global football stars grave its turf during their time with LA Galaxy; including David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard and Chicharito.
Located in Carson, California, the 27,000-capacity stadium is the second-largest soccer-specific venue in the United States.
It previously staged the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and has since hosted a range of international sporting fixtures, concerts and special events.
The announcement follows the International Olympic Committee Executive Board’s recent approval of LA28’s updated venue masterplan. The finalised version confirms locations for dozens of Olympic sports and incorporates a mix of legacy venues and regional landmarks.
Rugby Sevens was one of the breakout events of the Paris 2024 Olympics. More than 500,000 tickets were sold across the week, making it one of the best-selling sports of the Games.
A single-day crowd of 69,000 filled Stade de France during the tournament, setting a new attendance record for the format. Broadcast figures also indicated strong global interest in the shortened code which ulimately saw Antoine Dupont and France win gold on home soil.
Paris was also a break-out tournament for USA Sevens’ athlete Ilona Maher, who’s social media following and global fame surged on the back of her on and off-field exploits at the tournament. The LA tournament could be quite the homecoming for the undisputed queen of rugby, presuming the 28-year-old makes the cut.
LA28 organisers say the Games will “celebrate the Southern California Region, with iconic backdrops from movie sets to the Pacific coastline.”
Rugby Sevens will appear at its fourth consecutive Olympic Games in 2028, having debuted in Rio in 2016.
To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here