The key facts

  • Kathleen Kennedy appointed head of ceremonies and content for LA28
  • Olympics opening ceremony on July 14, 2028, closing on July 30
  • Official Games slogan — 'Stars Align'

New appointment at the LA28 organizing committee

The organizers of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles have appointed Kathleen Kennedy as head of ceremonies and content. According to AFP, the 73-year-old producer, an eight-time Oscar nominee, will serve as executive producer of the Games' opening and closing ceremonies. Her first work as a producer was Steven Spielberg's film E.T. (1982); her projects also include Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and the recent installments of the Star Wars franchise.

Venues and dates of the ceremonies

The ceremonies will take place at two venues: the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. The Olympic Games opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the closing ceremony for July 30. The Paralympic Games will open on August 15, with the closing ceremony at the Coliseum taking place on August 27.

Reaction and the Games slogan

LA28 chair and president Casey Wasserman called Kennedy a 'legend' and one of Hollywood's greatest figures, noting her 'rare gift for storytelling.' According to him, when the world's attention turns to Los Angeles, it is hard to imagine anyone better able to 'recreate the magic of Hollywood.' Kennedy herself said that the Olympics had been a 'cornerstone' of her life: she and her husband, producer Frank Marshall, have attended nearly every Games since 1984. The same day, organizers announced the official slogan of the Games — 'Stars Align' — a nod to Los Angeles's status as the world capital of the entertainment industry.