The organizing committee confirmed that both tournaments will play their final stages at the 90,000?capacity Pasadena stadium, with the men’s gold?medal match set for July 28 and the women’s final the following day.
During the Milan presentation, LA28 chief executive Reynold Hoover announced six additional venues for the men’s and women’s soccer competitions, extending Olympic play across the United States. From east to west, the new sites are NYCFC’s under?construction Etihad Park, Columbus Crew’s Scotts Miracle?Gro Field, Geodis Park in Nashville, St. Louis City’s Energizer Park, San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium and PayPal Park in San Jose.
According to LA28, San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium is the largest of the added venues, with a capacity of 35,000, while San Jose’s PayPal Park is the smallest at 18,000 seats.
Hoover described the selected stadiums as “premier, existing Major League Soccer stadiums” and said the host cities “will help bring these Olympics to the world” and spread “Olympic spirit coast to coast.”
In a press release issued to coincide with the Milan announcement, LA28 chief of sport Shana Ferguson said the additional venues “mean more fans will witness this global event.” She added that the ticket draw for LA28 opens March 18, with match schedules to be released shortly before the first ticket drop in April.
The women’s tournament at LA28 will feature 16 teams in four groups of four, resulting in 24 group?stage matches. The men’s competition will include 12 teams in three groups of four, producing 18 group?stage games. Both tournaments will then advance to quarterfinals, semifinals and two medal?round matches.
LA28 plans to move the competitions from east to west as they progress to reduce travel demands and increase recovery time.
Staging Olympic soccer matches outside the host city follows precedent from previous Games. LA28 has also announced that canoe slalom and softball events will take place in Oklahoma City, while the rest of the Olympic program will be held in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Hoover told IOC members that Los Angeles is prepared and enthusiastic about hosting the Games for a third time. He also addressed concerns about international entry, saying LA28 has been working with U.S. federal authorities to ensure athletes, coaches and officials can enter the country without difficulty. He said the organizing committee has established a “visa link” platform to assist participants with visa applications.
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