In a landmark shift for the 2028 Olympic Games, Pasadena will host Olympic diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC)—marking the first time in modern Olympic history that swimming and diving will be held at separate venues.
Swimming events will instead take place at a separate location althogther — at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — reshaping decades of Olympic tradition.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the plan on Sept. 10.
“This is a tremendous win for Pasadena—our businesses, residents, and the global visitors who will come here,” said Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo.
Pasadena’s Full-Circle Moment
Diving’s return to Pasadena carries historic and local significance.
The RBAC was originally built using legacy funds from the 1984 Olympic Games, and in 2028 it will again serve the Olympic movement—this time as an official competition venue.
Organizers determined that the 1932 Olympic pool at Exposition Park in Los Angeles no longer meets modern diving standards.
Rather than invest in costly upgrades, diving was relocated to Pasadena, a move projected to generate up to $17.6 million in combined savings and revenue benefits while leveraging RBAC’s existing world-class infrastructure.
The upgrades—including new dive towers and boards—will become permanent fixtures post-Games, expanding training opportunities and supporting local aquatic programs well into the future.
RBAC leaders, including COO Arvin Varma and Executive Director Melanie Sauer, emphasize that community services such as swim lessons, physical therapy, and fitness programs will remain uninterrupted, thanks to temporary partnerships during preparations.
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam called RBAC “a world-class facility” that represents “the very best of Los Angeles and beyond.”
Swimming Sets Records at SoFi Stadium
As diving returns to Pasadena, Olympic swimming will make history of its own at SoFi Stadium. The 70,000-seat arena will be temporarily transformed into the largest swimming venue ever used in Olympic competition, accommodating up to 38,000 spectators.
Competition and warm-up pools—along with artistic swimming and Paralympic events—will be installed beneath the stadium floor.
During the opening ceremony on July 14, 2028, the pools will be concealed under custom decking, then unveiled for competition roughly eight days later.
The retrofit will be executed by an industry-leading team, including AECOM, Turner-AECOM Hunt, Gensler, Clayco, Pacific Edge, and GPRS, using advanced 3D laser scanning and modeling technology to meet precise Olympic specifications.
After the Games, all temporary structures will be dismantled and repurposed for community use.
Why Splitting Venues Matters
Historically, Olympic swimming and diving share a venue—a practice deeply rooted in modern Games structure. The decision to separate them is virtually unprecedented.
According to organizers, the split enhances athlete safety, reduces overall costs, and ensures stronger long-term legacies for each host community.
For Pasadena, that means permanent diving infrastructure, international visibility, and a renewed role as a hub for elite aquatic sports.
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