2028 Olympics Countdown: Key Dates for the LA Summer Games

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are scheduled to run from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 30, 2028, so your 2028 Olympics countdown should point at the opening ceremony on July 14. Set a live timer for that evening in Pacific Time, then use the milestones below to keep the excitement going until the first event.

Dates for an event this large can be adjusted, and session times are announced in stages, so treat everything here as the schedule as it stood at the time of writing. Before you plan a trip, a watch party or a day off, check the official Games schedule for the latest dates and start times.

Set Up Your 2028 Olympics Countdown in Two Minutes

The fastest way to start is to build a timer on our countdown creator and save the link. Here's how to make it accurate:

1. Pick your target moment. For most fans, that's the opening ceremony on July 14, 2028. If you only care about one sport, you can make a second timer for that sport's first session once the detailed schedule is out.
2. Choose the right time zone. Los Angeles is on Pacific Daylight Time in July. If you set the target in Pacific Time and let the tool handle the conversion, your countdown stays correct wherever you watch from.
3. Name it. A clear label like "LA 2028 Opening Night" makes the timer easy to spot when you share it.
4. Save or bookmark the link. Share it in your family group chat, pin it to your browser, or add it to your phone's home screen.
5. Recheck the time later. When the official ceremony start time is confirmed, update your timer so it ticks down to the exact minute, not just the date.

If you'd rather count down by calendar pages than by seconds, a countdown calendar works well for a classroom wall, an office break room or a family fridge.

Key Dates at a Glance

Here's the big-picture timeline. Exact dates for the milestones in the run-up are announced over time, so we describe them by season rather than inventing dates.

One tip worth remembering: at past Summer Games, a few early-round events (team sports in particular) have started a day or two before the opening ceremony. If you follow one of those sports, your "first event" timer may need to point earlier than July 14.

Why the Opening Ceremony Is the Best Countdown Target

A two-week sporting event has hundreds of possible start times. Picking one anchor keeps your countdown simple and shareable.

It's the moment everyone agrees on. Not every viewer follows swimming or track, but almost everyone tunes in for opening night. A timer to the ceremony works for the whole family.

It's scheduled well in advance. The opening date is one of the first things fixed for any Games. Event-by-event times come later and can shift.

It anchors a party. A watch party needs a single start time. Opening night gives you an easy theme, a natural reason to gather and a built-in finale when the cauldron is lit.

It keeps the countdown long. Starting a countdown nearly two years out gives you plenty of mini milestones along the way, which is part of the fun. If you enjoy the slow build, our piece on the psychology of anticipation explains why looking forward to something can be as enjoyable as the event itself.

Getting the Time Zone Right

Los Angeles is in the Pacific time zone, and in mid-July it observes daylight saving time. That matters for anyone counting down from elsewhere.

Viewers in the Eastern US are three hours ahead of Los Angeles. An evening ceremony on the West Coast lands late in the evening on the East Coast.

Viewers in Hawaii and Alaska are behind Pacific Time, so evening events in LA arrive in the afternoon or early evening.

Viewers overseas may be watching in the middle of the night or early the next morning. A ceremony on the evening of July 14 in Los Angeles is already July 15 across much of Europe, Asia and Australia.

The cleanest fix is to set your countdown in Pacific Time and let the tool convert it. Converting by hand is where people go wrong, especially when one side observes daylight saving and the other doesn't. Our guide to setting a countdown to a specific time walks through time zone settings step by step.

A Milestone-by-Milestone Countdown Plan

Long countdowns feel more fun when you mark the stops along the way. Here's a simple plan you can follow from now until opening night.

Two Years Out: Start the Clock

This is when the countdown begins for many fans. Set your main timer, pick the sports you care about most and start a simple notes file with anything you want to remember, like friends who want to join your watch party.

One Year Out: The "365 Days" Moment

The one-year mark is a natural celebration. It's a good time to:

• Share your countdown link with family and friends
• Make a short wish list of the sports and moments you most want to see live
• Begin learning about a sport you've never watched, so you have something new to follow

Six Months Out: Trials Season Gets Closer

National team trials typically happen in the months before the Games. If you follow a specific sport, now is the time to find out when its trials are planned and add a second countdown for those dates. Trials often produce the stories you'll care about most once the Games begin.

100 Days Out: Start the Daily Fun

The 100-day mark is a classic moment for countdowns. Families and classrooms often run a "100 days" activity calendar with one small task per day: learn a fact about a sport, try a simple backyard event, or read about a past Games. A printable countdown calendar is perfect for this kind of day-by-day plan.

One Month Out: Lock In Your Viewing Plan

By now the detailed session schedule should be available. Update your timers with exact start times, decide which events you'll watch live and which you'll catch later, and confirm your watch party date.

Torch Relay Weeks: Follow the Flame

The torch relay is one of the most beloved parts of the run-up. Traditionally, the flame is lit in Greece months ahead and then carried on a route through the host country. If the route passes near your town, it can be a memorable outing. Watch for the official route announcement and set a short countdown for the day it comes through your area.

Final Week: Countdown to Opening Night

Switch your focus to the hours and minutes. Put the live timer on a TV or laptop during the final day so your guests can watch the last minutes tick away together.

2028 Olympics Countdown Watch Party Ideas

The opening ceremony is a natural party night. These ideas keep things easy, family-friendly and fun for all ages.

Put the timer on the big screen. Before the broadcast starts, display your live countdown on the TV. Watching the final seconds drop together is a fun kickoff.

Do a "parade of nations" game. As teams enter the stadium, have each guest pick a few countries at random from a bowl. Cheer loudly for your picks when they appear.

Build a medal table on poster board. Draw a simple chart for the countries your group is following and fill in results each night of the Games.

Make it a potluck with a world theme. Ask each guest to bring a dish inspired by a country they're curious about. Label each dish with a small flag-free card naming the country.

Run a backyard mini-games warmup. Before the ceremony, set up a few silly events: a water balloon toss, a three-legged race or a paper-plate discus. Hand out homemade paper medals.

Hold a prediction sheet contest. Have everyone guess a few outcomes, such as how many events they'll watch or which sport will surprise them most. Check the sheet on the final night.

Plan a closing-night sequel. Set a second timer for the closing ceremony on July 30 and invite the same group back to wrap up the two weeks.

For more ideas on hosting a big viewing night, our game day watch party ideas guide covers snacks, seating and keeping everyone engaged.

How This Compares to Other Big Sporting Countdowns

If you love counting down to major sports moments, the Summer Games have a few things in common with other big events, and a few differences.

Our World Cup countdown and F1 race countdown guides cover those events in detail. The key lesson carries across all three: decide exactly which moment you're counting down to and set the correct time zone.

Ways to Use Your Countdown All Summer

A single opening-night timer is just the start. Here are a few ways to keep the countdown going once the Games begin.

One timer per favorite event. If you follow gymnastics, swimming or track, set a separate countdown for each final you want to see live.

A daily "next up" timer. Each morning during the Games, set a timer for the first event you plan to watch that day.

A family viewing chart. Pair your timers with a simple chart that shows who wants to watch what, so nobody misses their favorite moment.

A classroom or office board. Teachers and office organizers can post a countdown for the next big event and swap it each day. For general tips on setting up any event timer, see our event countdown guide.

Mistakes to Avoid

Counting down to the wrong day. Overseas viewers in particular can be off by a day because of the time difference. Always set the target in Pacific Time.

Trusting early session times. Event times published far in advance can change. Update your timers when the final schedule is released.

Assuming everything starts at the ceremony. Some events may begin before opening night, as they have at past Games. Check the official schedule for your sport.

Forgetting about broadcast delays. If you're watching a stream, your picture may run a bit behind live. Start your watch party a few minutes early.

Using logos or official artwork on homemade decorations you share online. Keep your party signs and invitations homemade and simple. Plain words and your own drawings are the safest choice.

FAQ

When do the 2028 Summer Olympics start?

The Los Angeles Summer Games are scheduled to open on Friday, July 14, 2028, and close on Sunday, July 30, 2028. Check the official schedule closer to the date for any updates.

What time zone should I use for my 2028 Olympics countdown?

Use Pacific Time, since Los Angeles is the host city. In July, LA observes daylight saving time. Setting your timer in Pacific Time and letting the tool convert it keeps the countdown accurate wherever you are.

Do any events start before the opening ceremony?

At past Summer Games, some early-round events have begun a day or two before opening night. Check the official schedule for your favorite sport once it's published.

When will the full event schedule be available?

Detailed session times are released in stages ahead of the Games. Plan to update your timers once the final schedule comes out.

Can I make separate countdowns for different sports?

Yes. You can create as many timers as you like on our countdown creator. Many fans keep one for opening night and one for each final they want to watch live.

When are the Paralympic Games in 2028?

The Paralympic Games are scheduled to follow the Summer Games later in the summer of 2028 in Los Angeles. Check the official schedule for confirmed dates, then set a separate countdown.

How can I share my countdown with friends?

After you create your timer, copy its link and send it in a group chat, post it on a social page or pin it in your browser so everyone counts down together.