SEATTLE — The countdown is on to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, which run from July 26 through Aug. 11.
Preparations are well underway for future Olympic Games around the world, even those scheduled several years from now.
For those planning to attend a future Olympic Games – or athletes preparing for another chance at the global stage – the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has planned where most upcoming competitions will be held. However, the Winter Olympic Games of 2030 and 2034 remain undecided with the United States as a possible contender.
Here’s the latest information on future Olympic Games and when the IOC will vote on the Winter Games locations.
Winter Olympic Games 2026:
Milano Cortina, Italy — Feb. 6-22, 2026 (Paralympic Games: March 6-15, 2026)
The Winter 2026 Games will include 16 Olympic sports in Italy, with events held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Milano, and Verona, among other locations. Historic venues include the Arena di Verona, originally built in 30 AD, which is undergoing an 18-million-euro ($19.5 million) renovation.
“The Italian 2026 Winter Games will embrace many different cultures overarching the Alps,” said Andrea Varnier, the CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, in October last year. “The beauty of cities and mountains is framed by a millennial history, but also nourished by incredibly modern elements, such as fashion, design, the excellency of our territories in terms of tourist attractions and reception, food, wine, and an amazing sense of hospitality.”
These Olympic Games will be the debut of ski mountaineering, or Skimo, a competition where athletes race to climb alpine mountains and ski down to the finish line.
Summer Olympic Games 2028:
Los Angeles, California, United States — July 14-30, 2028 (Paralympics Games: Aug. 15-27, 2028)
The West Coast sun will shine over the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. It will mark the city’s third time hosting the Olympics, following competitions in 1984 and 1932. It will be the first time Los Angeles is hosting the Paralympic Games.
Venues for the events span across Southern California, even reaching outside the state. In June, the LA28 committee announced SoFi Stadium will be transformed into the “largest swimming venue in Olympic history,” and events will also be held in the San Fernando Valley, which was excluded in both of the state's previous Games.
LA28 said due to the local softball venue being too small, and no venue existing for canoe slalom, the two sports will be moved to world-class facilities in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of athletic competition and achievement, and we’re proud to host the Los Angeles 2028 Games in some of the greatest stadiums and arenas ever built,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman in a June news release. “LA28’s updated venue plan will provide the ideal Hollywood stage for the world’s top athletes, and choosing from spectacular existing venues, wherever they are, rather than building new permanent or temporary stadiums, achieves more than $150 million in savings and new revenue to help maintain a balanced budget.”
Summer Olympic Games 2032:
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia — July 23-Aug. 8, 2032 (Paralympic Games: Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2032)
Even though it won't technically be the summer season down under, the 2032 Summer Olympic Games will be held in Brisbane, Australia. It is the first time Brisbane is hosting the Olympics; Sydney hosted in 2000 and Melbourne hosted in 1956.
The Games will feature 50 sports in 11 cities, including Sydney and Melbourne.
“We have achieved a lot in the past two years, and we will achieve a lot more in the next nine. Being an Olympic and Paralympic City and State will be the biggest single catalyst for change this century," said Annastacia Palaszczuk, premier of Queensland and minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "The world is going to discover all the things we love about Queensland and Queensland will be the winner."
In 2021, Brisbane won an uncontested bid to host under the new Olympic Host City bidding process.
The Olympics previously had a fixed election cycle to determine host cities. Now, the IOC invites a potential host city to apply, then after research and consideration, the IOC membership votes on the location.
What about the Winter Olympic Games 2030 and 2034?
Host cities for the next decade's Winter Games will soon be selected.
All IOC members will vote on the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games locations at a meeting July 22-24 in Paris.
As of June, the organization has proposed the French Alps to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2030 and Salt Lake City, Utah, to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2034.
BBC reported last month that Salt Lake City was initially bidding for the 2030 Games but revoked its bid due to it being so close to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
If selected to host the Olympic Games in 2034, it will mark the fifth time the United States has hosted the Olympics and the second for Salt Lake City, which also hosted in 2002.
