For the first time in the Olympics, female athletes will make up the majority of participants at the Summer Games, and it’s happening right here in Los Angeles. The 2028 Olympics will mark a shift in how global sports are represented, with more women competing than men across hundreds of events.
A historic first for women at the Los Angeles Olympics
While previous Games saw near gender balance, L.A. will push things forward. Women will make up just over 50% of the athlete pool. That milestone is driven by a major change: the expansion of the women’s soccer tournament, which will now feature 16 teams, more than the men’s for the first time.
The shift is local, cultural, and global
This isn’t just a numbers story. It’s a cultural moment for L.A., a city that has long been at the forefront of both entertainment and change. The 2028 Olympics won’t just reflect where sports are, they’ll reflect where the world is heading.
More women competing on home soil sends a message that aligns with the city’s energy: bold, diverse, and future-facing.
In addition to women’s soccer, sports like water polo, boxing, gymnastics, and golf will see more equitable participation. New mixed events will bring men and women together in competition, including mixed-gender relays, rowing, and table tennis.
L.A. will have the most female athletes in the Olympics
For Angelenos, this means the Olympic spotlight won’t just be on male or female athletes. It will shine on gender equality, representation, and leadership. From Downtown to the Valley, expect the whole city to embrace the Olympics as more than a spectacle, this is a hometown celebration of progress.
More women on the field means more stories, more voices, and a broader definition of what greatness looks like. And it’s all unfolding right in the heart of our city.