Every two years, the Olympic Games move to a new city, and the next editions are already mapped out through the middle of the 2030s. The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, following the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan. After Los Angeles, Brisbane is scheduled for 2032. This guide explains how host cities are chosen, confirms currently planned Games, and outlines what these designations mean for athletes, broadcasters, and local communities over the long term.
The Confirmed Olympic Host Cities for 2026, 2028, and 2032
As of the most recent IOC decisions, three host city agreements are firmly established for upcoming Summer and Winter Games. The 2026 Winter Games will be jointly hosted by Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan, reviving a historic Alpine venue in Italy. The 2028 Summer Games will mark a return to Los Angeles, leveraging existing infrastructure and urban venues. The 2032 Summer Games are awarded to Brisbane, with the Australian state of Queensland committed to staged, cost-conscious delivery. These agreements represent the next three Olympiads with binding host contracts.
How Future Olympic Host Cities Are Selected
The process by which the IOC selects future host cities has evolved significantly since the early scandals and cost overruns of earlier decades. Today, the Olympic Agenda 2020 and subsequent reforms emphasize transparency, sustainability, and financial responsibility. Cities compete through a structured, multi-phase evaluation that assesses governance, legacy planning, infrastructure, and stakeholder support. The reforms are designed to reduce risk for taxpayers while maintaining the global appeal of the Olympic movement.
Key Milestones in the Selection Process
- Invitation to explore: Cities receive a formal invitation from the IOC to enter the dialogue phase.
- Candidature files: Detailed dossiers outline plans for venues, accommodation, transport, and operations.
- Evaluation commission visits: IOC commissions conduct in-depth inspections and interviews.
- Election by the IOC Session: The host city is chosen via multi-round secret ballot during an IOC Session.
Notable Features of the Current Model
Recent reforms allow hosts to use existing or temporary venues, limit new construction, and tie public funding to strict budget controls. The IOC also encourages long-term legacy plans that extend beyond the Games, including youth sport, urban mobility, and economic development. These changes aim to make hosting more viable for a wider range of cities and regions over time.
The 2026 Winter Olympics: Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan
The 2026 Winter Games will revisit a storied Alpine region with a modern, distributed model across northern Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo, which previously hosted in 1956, will handle mountain events such as alpine skiing and sliding disciplines. Milan will coordinate ice sports, media operations, and the main Olympic Village, leveraging high-speed rail and existing venues. The plan emphasizes low environmental impact and reuse of historic sites, a model that has shaped recent Winter Games.
What to Watch for in 2026
- Venue reuse and low-carbon design choices
- How regional infrastructure upgrades support long-term connectivity
- Broadcasting strategies for remote mountain venues and urban centers
The 2028 Summer Olympics: Los Angeles and a New Approach
Los Angeles 2028 reflects a shift toward leveraging existing facilities and urban landscapes rather than building bespoke Olympic parks. The city plans to use venues across Southern California, from UCLA to legacy structures at USC, Staples Center, and the LA Coliseum. This model reduces new construction, shortens timelines, and focuses on operational efficiency. The LA28 Organizing Committee has emphasized accessibility, public transport integration, and measurable community benefits tied to hosting.
Anticipated Impacts of Los Angeles 2028
- Accelerated upgrades to public transit and active mobility corridors
- Economic development focused on long-term assets, not temporary structures
- Ongoing partnerships with universities, nonprofits, and local governments
The 2032 Summer Olympics: Brisbane and a Southern Hemisphere Focus
Brisbane’s bid for 2032 emphasized phased delivery, staged investments, and strong state-level backing. Events will be distributed across Queensland hubs, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and regional centers, with a focus on legacy for regional communities. The IOC views this plan as a test case for compact, climate-conscious hosting in the Southern Hemisphere. If approved by the IOC Session, Brisbane will become the first host city under the renewed, iterative model for future Games.
What Distinguishes Brisbane 2032
- Regional venue-sharing beyond the capital city
- Integration with long-term state infrastructure plans
- Explicit climate and sustainability targets aligned with local policies
Common Questions About Upcoming Olympic Host Cities
Because host city agreements can span many years and involve complex planning, certain questions recur. The answers below are based on publicly confirmed IOC decisions and published planning documents as of the latest available information.
Are these host city decisions final and binding?
Yes. Once elected by the IOC Session, host city contracts are legally binding. Modifications require IOC approval and typically align with sustainability and budget frameworks. This means the cities listed for 2026, 2028, and 2032 are the official, contracted hosts.
Can future Games move or be canceled?
While extreme scenarios are rare, the IOC retains contractual mechanisms to reassign or, in extraordinary cases, postpone Games. However, established host cities invest years in planning and infrastructure, so changes are uncommon and handled through formal IOC governance processes.
How are costs controlled for future host cities?
Recent reforms cap public spending, require contingency planning, and prioritize reuse of existing facilities. Independent oversight and transparent budgeting are now standard, reducing the risk of historic cost overruns that affected earlier Games.
What happens to athletes and qualification pathways when host cities change?
Qualification systems are adjusted by sport international federations in coordination with the IOC, ensuring stability for athletes. Changes to venue locations may require updated travel and logistics, but the core qualification timelines and criteria remain consistent across editions.
Will climate concerns affect future host selections?
Yes. The IOC now evaluates temperature, rainfall patterns, and seasonal stability when assessing Summer host bids. Cooler venues, flexible scheduling, and heat-mitigation plans are increasingly important criteria for future host city selection.
How can communities near future host cities prepare?
Host cities typically publish long-term legacy plans years in advance, covering transport, housing, accessibility, and business support. Local governments, transit agencies, and community organizations use these documents to align public investment and minimize disruption.