Orlando, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Montreal selected to host Olympic Q-Series on road to LA28

Orlando, FL (May 7, 2026) – Four world-class cities will host the Olympic Q-Series (formerly the Olympic Qualifier Series) in an exciting and expanded  format on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that, in 2028, Tokyo (Japan), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China), Montreal (Canada) and Orlando (USA) will each host one stop of the series. The sports programme for each stop will be confirmed at a later date, with 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football and skateboarding set to feature. 

 

KEY FACTS 

 

Speaking about this news, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “The Q-Series is an exciting global event on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games. It’s one format, four stops, six sports. The goal is to boost athlete visibility and global fan engagement. We cannot wait for the series to kick off.” 

She continued: “We believe the Olympic Q-Series will be really exciting for fans and for the host cities. The fans will be right there with the action – the festival feel, the sport, music, culture – coming to life in iconic cities. It will be fast paced and high energy, with lots of action, world-class athletes and a huge focus on youth.” 

The Olympic Q-Series is the result of a collaboration between the IOC and six International Federations. It will form a central pillar of the qualification pathway, offering athletes a decisive opportunity to secure direct quota places for LA28 shortly before the Games begin. 

“We congratulate Orlando for building on a proud sport heritage by being selected to host the final Olympic Q-Series 2028 stop on the road to LA28,” said United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO, Sarah Hirshland. “The vision put forward by the community not only celebrates the outstanding athletes and competition, it invites all who love sport to come together to experience the magic of the Olympic Movement. We’re thrilled for our partners in Orlando and know it will be a great event.” 

Where and when will the Q-Series events be held? 

The four-stop series will feature two back-to-back events, first in Asia in May, then in North America in June. It opens in Tokyo, the city where 3×3 basketball, BMX freestyle, climbing and skateboarding made their Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Just one week later, the event lands in Shanghai, returning to the city where the Q-Series began in 2024. 

In June, the series crosses the Pacific to Montreal, back to the iconic 1976 Olympic Park as it reopens to a new generation. The journey comes to a close in Orlando, drawing athletes and fans to the East Coast of the US on the final stretch of the road to the LA28 Olympic Games. 

 

What sports will the Q-Series include? 

The Olympic Q-Series 2028 will feature six sports/disciplines: 

 

BMX freestyle, climbing and skateboarding are making a return following their inclusion in the inaugural edition in 2024, while 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball and flag football further strengthen the Q-Series programme and reflect the continued evolution of the Olympic sports programme, particularly in youth-focused disciplines.  

The sports that will feature in each of the stops will be confirmed in due course. 

“Orange County is proud to welcome the Olympic Q-Series 2028 as Orlando steps onto the global stage as a host city,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “Hosting a world-class competition of this magnitude highlights our community’s readiness to shine on the global stage. By strategically investing Tourist Development Tax dollars into our sports venues, we are delivering an exceptional experience for athletes and fans while further solidifying our reputation as a premier destination for major international events.” 

“We’re thrilled that Orlando has been selected to host the Olympic Q-Series 2028, putting our city at the center of the road to LA28,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Our community has a proven track record of delivering world-class events and has earned its place as the nation’s premier sports destination. We look forward to collaborating across our community to host this four-day urban sport showcase, which will allow our city to once again play a part in the Olympic Games.” 

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are honored to welcome the Olympic Q-Series 2028 to Orlando and to play a role in the lead-up to the LA28 Olympic Games,” said Caesar Lopez, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors. “This opportunity reflects the strength of our partnerships across the region and our shared commitment to supporting the Olympic Movement. As a global sports capital, Orlando is proud to provide a world-class stage for competition while continuing to elevate the reach and impact of Olympic sport.” 

“This is a powerful example of what’s possible when our community comes together with a shared vision,” said Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando President & CEO. “Orlando is built to host global events of this scale, and we look forward to working alongside our partners to create an experience that draws visitors for the excitement of the competition and encourages them to explore everything our destination has to offer.” 

“We are thrilled that the International Olympic Committee has selected Orlando as the host city for the final stop of the Olympic Q-Series 2028,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “This places Orlando on the road to the LA28 Summer Olympic Games and gives our region the opportunity to help shape an important chapter in the Olympic journey for hundreds of athletes as we build excitement from coast to coast. Our community has worked hard to build a reputation for hosting world-class global events, and this opportunity is another example of what can happen when our region comes together around a shared vision.  This effort began nearly eight years ago, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Visit Orlando, the Florida Sports Foundation, and the State of Florida.  Together, we are ready to welcome the world, celebrate Olympic sport, and create an experience that will inspire athletes, fans, and residents for many years to come.” 

How will the Olympic Q-Series build on the success of the previous qualification events? 

The decision to elevate and expand the Olympic Q-Series builds on the strong success of the inaugural Olympic  Qualifier Series in 2024.  Events in Shanghai and Budapest (Hungary)  demonstrated the effectiveness of the concept, bringing together multiple sports in compact, festival-style urban settings that delivered the highest level of competition, significant spectator attendance, exciting partner activations and substantial global broadcast and digital engagement. 

IOC commitment to innovation and athlete pathways 

The expanded 2028 edition reinforces the IOC’s continued commitment to placing athletes and sports at the forefront in the lead-up to the Games, by enhancing the visibility of the qualifiers, supporting International Federations, and creating a vibrant atmosphere designed to connect with the next generation of fans. 

By bringing six sports together in one series across multiple cities, the Olympic Q-Series makes the road to the Games easier to follow, more visible and more exciting for fans and athletes alike. 

Further details on the Olympic Q-Series 2028 – including ticketing, broadcasting and the sports programme for each stop – will be confirmed at a later date. 

About the Greater Orlando Sports Commission  

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,700 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $3.86 billion in spending within the community. For more information, visit www.GreaterOrlandoSports.com.