Anthony Arroyo
Dodger Stadium, one of baseball’s most iconic cathedrals, is again set to take the global stage. The venue has been officially selected to host the baseball competitions during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as confirmed by Los Angeles Times reporter Thuc Nhi Nguyen on Tuesday.
This marks a historic return for baseball in the Olympics and the stadium. The last Olympic baseball game at Chavez Ravine occurred in 1984, when Los Angeles hosted the Summer Games. Although baseball wasn’t an official Olympic sport then, it was featured as a demonstration event, drawing enthusiastic local crowds. Team USA, led by future big leaguers like Mark McGwire and Barry Larkin, earned silver that year after falling to Japan in the final.
It wasn’t until 1992 in Barcelona that baseball became an official Olympic sport. Since then, due to its fluctuating status on the Olympic program, it has been included in the Summer Games only six times. After being excluded in 2012 and 2016, it returned for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Team USA again earned silver, losing to the host nation, Japan.
Baseball and softball were left off the 2024 Paris Olympics program, primarily due to a lack of local popularity and suitable venues in France. However, their reinstatement for the 2028 Games acknowledges Southern California’s deep baseball roots and passionate fanbase.
Dodger Stadium, nestled in the hills above Downtown LA, is the perfect backdrop for baseball’s Olympic return. Opened in 1962, it’s the oldest Major League stadium west of the Mississippi River and the third-oldest in baseball overall. It has hosted 11 World Series, including the most recent in 2024, and is home to one of the most storied franchises in sports. Its selection reflects not only the prestige of the venue but also the enduring connection between Los Angeles and the game of baseball.
“America’s favorite pastime will capture the world’s attention when baseball makes its Olympic return at Dodger Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, one of the world’s most iconic stadiums,” the LA28 organizing committee stated. “It has hosted countless record-breaking games and will continue to break records in 2028.”
By 2028, Dodger Stadium will have undergone a series of modernizations, continuing its evolution as both a beloved throwback and a cutting-edge venue. Fans from around the globe will experience Olympic baseball in a setting where legends have played, Koufax pitched, Gibson limped into history, and Mookie and Freddie now shine.
The return of Olympic baseball to Dodger Stadium is more than just a scheduling note; it’s a celebration of the game’s rich history, future on the global stage, and LA’s status as a world capital of sports.
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