Los Angeles 2028 will give both sports their first opportunity to compete for Olympic medals, alongside the return of cricket, lacrosse and baseball/softball.
Squash and flag football will make their Olympic debuts at Los Angeles 2028, bringing two established sporting communities onto the Olympic medal programme for the first time.
Their inclusion was approved by the International Olympic Committee on 16 October 2023, as part of a package of five additional sports proposed by the Los Angeles organisers. Baseball/softball, Twenty20 cricket and sixes lacrosse complete the group.
For squash and flag football, the Games create an opportunity to reach viewers who may be unfamiliar with their international competitions. Athletes will also have a new goal: becoming their sport’s first Olympic champions.
Flag football will feature separate men’s and women’s tournaments, with six national teams in each. The qualification system includes places allocated through host-nation status, the 2026 world championships and the 2028 Olympic Q-Series.
The sport already has an international competitive base. According to LA28 organisers, more than 40 nations participate in the International Federation of American Football’s world championships during each two-year cycle. Organisers also point to growth in American youth leagues and community programmes.
Squash brings a different kind of sporting spectacle. LA28 says the sport is played in approximately 180 countries, giving its Olympic debut significance well beyond the host nation.
Its glass-walled courts also offer unusual possibilities for staging competitions. Major squash events have previously been held near the Pyramids of Giza and inside New York’s Grand Central Terminal, illustrating how the sport can bring elite competition into distinctive settings.
There are already signs of spectator interest. LA28 reported that both sports sold through the ticket inventory made available in its first ticket release. That refers to the initial allocation, rather than every ticket available for the Games.
The IOC’s original approval covered the Los Angeles edition specifically. It did not automatically establish the five additional sports as permanent fixtures at every future Olympics.
For clubs, coaches and athletes, the opportunity extends beyond the competition itself. Olympic exposure could introduce new audiences to both sports and encourage participation. Turning that attention into lasting growth will depend on the opportunities available when inspired viewers look for somewhere to play.
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