Los Angeles 2028 Olympics – A Quick Look at the Five New Sports!

In recent Olympic Games, new sports have been added or removed in each edition.

2016 Rio Olympics – Golf and Rugby Sevens were introduced.

2021 Tokyo Olympics – Skateboarding, Surfing, Sport Climbing, and Baseball/Softball were added.

2024 Paris Olympics – Breaking (Breakdancing) joins the lineup.

Let’s take a look at the new sports coming in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics!If we look back at the history of the Olympic Games—from the Ancient Olympics to the Modern Games and into the present day—the events people compete in have changed significantly.
In the early modern Olympics, many of the sports were inherited from the traditions of the Ancient Games.
However, as the Olympics evolved, human creativity, along with political and commercial considerations, opened the door for a wide variety of new sports to enter the world’s most prestigious sporting stage—the Olympic Games.

In recent editions, the Olympic Games have seen both new sports added and others removed.

2016 Rio Olympics – Golf and Rugby Sevens were introduced.
2021 Tokyo Olympics – Skateboarding, Surfing, Sport Climbing, and Baseball/Softball were added.
2024 Paris Olympics – Breaking (Breakdancing) makes its debut.

For the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, five new sports will be included.
These are divided into two "returning sports" and three "debut sports."

Returning sports: Baseball/Softball, Cricket
Debut sports: Squash, Lacrosse, Flag Football

Baseball/Softball
As one of the most popular sports in the United States, baseball has a massive potential fan base.
In Asia, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also have professional leagues and strong followings, which means the sport is expected to generate significant revenue.

At the same time, the U.S. is likely eager to prove itself on the Olympic stage and reclaim lost glory—
especially after Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

This sets the stage for the possible inclusion of top MLB players, which would greatly enhance the excitement and viewership of the games.

Cricket
Cricket is a sport that is fundamentally similar to baseball or softball, as both involve scoring runs and playing defense in a field-based setting.

The batting team scores by hitting the ball and running back and forth between the wickets, while the fielding team tries to catch the ball or return it to the stumps to stop the scoring.

While cricket is a relatively unfamiliar sport to most people in Taiwan, it is one of the most commercially successful sports globally—especially due to its overwhelming popularity in India.
In fact, cricket is considered a cultural symbol of India. Thanks to India’s massive population, cricket ranks among the most popular sports in the world.

Squash
Squash is played in an enclosed court where players take turns hitting the ball with a racket, trying to prevent their opponent from returning it before the second bounce.
It can be thought of as a form of tennis played against walls.

Squash has applied several times to become an Olympic sport but was repeatedly denied.
It will finally make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games as an official competition event.

Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport where players use a stick with a netted head to catch, carry, and shoot a ball into the opponent’s goal.

The sport originated in Canada and the United States, where it remains most popular today.
In North America, lacrosse also has well-developed professional leagues and collegiate competitions.

In Taiwan, the sport has been actively promoted over the past decade.
The Chinese Taipei Lacrosse Association was established in 2014, with the hope that one day Taiwanese athletes will compete on the Olympic stage.

Flag Football
Flag football is a simplified and safer version of American football.
The objective is for the offensive team to carry the ball across the opponent's end zone to score, while the defense stops the play by pulling a flag attached to the ball carrier's waist.

As the most popular professional sport in the United States, American football—now made safer yet still exciting—has the potential to bring a fresh dynamic to the Olympic Games.

The addition of new sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics not only enriches the Olympic program but also reflects the current trends in American sports culture.
Combined with the global appeal of cricket, these additions are likely to generate substantial revenue.

From the traditional appeal of baseball to the emerging spotlight on squash, each new Olympic sport brings with it a unique cultural and athletic spirit.
Through the Olympic stage, these lesser-known sports can reach a global audience and grow in recognition.

We believe that at the Los Angeles Olympics, all of these sports will shine brightly, capturing the world’s attention.
Let’s look forward to this grand celebration of sport, and the many surprises and moving moments it will surely bring!