ROAD TO LA ALREADY UNDERWAY!
2026 marks the beginning of the qualification journey for many sports as they look ahead to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Qualifying for the Games, which take place from 14–30 July 2028, is challenging across all disciplines. Most sports require either direct qualification through specific events, qualification via ranking points, or a combination of both.
Over the coming months, a detailed breakdown for each sport will be shared. Below is an outline of the key dates in 2026 for sports beginning their qualification campaigns.
Upcoming Dates and Sports
May
- Cycling (Mountain Bike) – Qualification is already underway, with nations accumulating points in key events.
- Canoe Sprint – Qualification begins with the World Cup Series, with ranking points available at the World Cups on 8 May and 14 May.
- Triathlon – LA28 Olympic triathlon qualification opens on 18 May, with points contributing to individual rankings. The first qualifying competition takes place on 30 May in Alghero, Italy.
June
- Taekwondo – The LA28 ranking cycle begins 1 June, with quotas awarded based on points earned through May 2028. Key June events include:
- Presidents Cup, Nurnberg (4–7 June)
- Malta Island International Open (13 June)
- Bosnia Open (21–22 June)
- Austrian Open, Wien (20–21 June)
- Basketball 3×3 – The FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw (1–7 June) contributes to national ranking points. Additional points are available on the FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit.
- Canoe Sprint – Points earned at the European Championships (11–14 July) contribute to LA28 quota allocation.
- Golf – Olympic qualification points begin accruing from 8 June (women) and 22 June (men).
- Judo – Qualification opens 15 June, with points accumulated until 12 June 2028. Early events include:
- Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam (19–21 June)
- Qingdao Grand Prix (26–28 June)
- Triathlon – Points from events in Quiberon (20–21 June) and the 2026 European Championships in Tarragona (13–14 June) count toward qualification.
July
- Canoe Sprint – Additional World Cup ranking points available on 9 July.
- Taekwondo – World Championships in Gimcheon, Korea (10–12 July).
- Triathlon – Qualification points available in:
- Hamburg (11–12 July)
- London (25 July)
- Canoe Slalom – Ranking period begins 20 July, with qualification starting at the World Championships in Oklahoma City (20–25 July).
- Weightlifting – Qualification opens with the World Championships in Ningbo, China (27 July).
August
- Canoe Sprint – Points from the World Championships (26 August) contribute to LA28 quotas.
- BMX Racing – Qualification period opens 4 August.
- Equestrian – The FEI World Championships in Aachen (11–23 August) offer direct qualification for top teams across jumping, dressage, and eventing.
- Taekwondo – Riga Open (29–30 August) contributes ranking points.
- Triathlon – Weihai, China (29 August) offers qualification points.
- Hockey – The top-ranked FIH Pro League team secures an Olympic berth. Both Irish teams compete at the World Cup in Belgium (14–30 August), with remaining quotas decided in 2027.
- Judo – Lausanne Grand Slam (28–30 August).
September
- Surfing – Qualification begins at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador (5–14 September).
- Canoe Slalom – Points available at:
- World Cup, Vaires-sur-Marnes (3–5 September)
- World Cup, La Seu (10–13 September)
- Judo – Hungary Grand Slam (11–13 September).
- Taekwondo – September qualification events include:
- German Open, Hamburg (19–20)
- Polish Open, Warsaw (26–27)
- Dubnitsa Open, Bulgaria (27 September)
- Triathlon – Points available in:
- Karlovy Vary (13 September)
- World Championships, Pontevedra (23–27 September)
October
- Judo – Baku World Senior Championships (4–10 October) and Abu Dhabi Grand Slam (29–31 October).
- Taekwondo – October ranking events include:
- Albanian Open, Tirana (2–4)
- Croatia Poomsae Open, Zagreb (3 October)
- ETU Grand Prix Open, Vrsac (17–18)
- Dracula Open, Bucharest (23–25)
- WT Grand Prix Series, Paris (8–11 October)
- Track Cycling – Qualification for nations begins 14 October at the Tissot UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai, continuing through 2028.
- Gymnastics – Artistic Gymnastics qualification begins at the FIG World Championships in Rotterdam (17–25 October).
November
- Shooting – ISSF World Championships in Qatar (1–15 November) offer quota places.
- BMX Freestyle – Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh (3–7 November), with further points available in the Olympic Qualifier Series through 2028.
- Lacrosse – First qualification opportunity at the European Sixes Championships in Salou (2–28 November).
- Judo – Zagreb Grand Prix (13–15 November).
December
- Judo – Final qualification event of 2026: Tokyo Grand Slam (5–6 December).