The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) is delighted to announce that Team Ireland House for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be located at Ovation Square in Long Beach, one of the most vibrant and strategically positioned host cities of the next Summer Games.
Following an extensive six-month search across Los Angeles, Ovation Square emerged as a standout choice for Team Ireland fans. Built in 1923 and located in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, the landmark former bank building offers a unique combination of scale, atmosphere and ready-made event infrastructure. Its central location and distinctive character make it an ideal hub for Irish fans, athletes, families, partners and supporters throughout the Games.
At Games time, Team Ireland House is internationally recognised as one of the liveliest destinations, and Ovation Square is set to deliver on that reputation. The venue features a 1,100-capacity main floor, a VIP mezzanine, green rooms, and a distinctive basement exhibition and retail space built around the original 1920s bank vault.
With just over two years to go until the next Summer Olympics, Long Beach is already preparing to play a major role in LA 2028. The city will host eight Olympic sports, including rowing, sailing and beach volleyball, making it one of the most active hubs of the Games.
Speaking from Los Angeles about the announcement, Peter Sherrard said,
“We are thrilled to bring Team Ireland House to Long Beach for LA 2028. Ovation Square offers a world-class venue in a city that is deeply engaged with the Games and eager to welcome the Irish community. With so many Olympic and Paralympic events taking place nearby, it will be a natural gathering point for athletes, families and supporters. We look forward to creating a vibrant home for Ireland on the West Coast.”
Proud to Welcome Team Ireland
At the State of the City annual address in Long Beach last night, Mayor Rex Richardson welcomed the announcement, saying,
“We are proud to welcome the Team Ireland House for the 2028 Games and look forward to seeing this cultural space come alive with community connection, celebration and shared experiences for people of all ages.
“As Long Beach continues to welcome Team Hospitality Houses, we are demonstrating firsthand the global confidence placed in our beautiful city.”
Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, highlighted the importance of Team Ireland House as a central gathering point for Irish communities during the Olympic Games.
“The Olympic Games are a moment when people come together from all over the world. Having a dedicated Team Ireland House in such a prominent and iconic location in Long Beach will provide an important hub where Irish people can congregate, from supporters travelling from Ireland to the many Irish communities across California and beyond. I warmly welcome the announcement of Team Ireland House in Ovation Square. This iconic location in a city that has enjoyed plenty of historic firsts in Ireland’s Olympic history, provides an opportunity not only to support our athletes but also to celebrate Ireland’s rich heritage, culture and sporting achievements on the international stage, creating a vibrant focal point throughout LA 2028.”
Ovation Square
With built-in staging, lighting and AV systems, alongside a flexible layout and premium spaces, Ovation Square provides an ideal platform for a dynamic Games-time programme. The OFI looks forward to working closely with the venue team to deliver live events, athlete and family gatherings, cultural showcases, sponsor activations and more. The venue will also include retail and exhibition experiences, opportunities to connect with local children through the Dare to Believe programme, and ways to add value for Irish companies throughout the Games.
Commercial Director Catherine Tiernan said,
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Ovation Square. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed, and we are excited to transform this beautiful venue into a home for Irish supporters during the Games. We look forward to building a schedule of activity that opens Ovation Square to the wider Irish-American community, with a vibrant cultural programme that showcases the Best of Us in America, while also engaging with the Long Beach community, young and old, including the more than two million Irish Americans living in California.”
Long Beach is located just 25–30 kilometres from major Games zones such as Inglewood and Exposition Park, where the Opening Ceremony, athletics, basketball and swimming will take place. A new overland metro connection will link Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles in approximately 30 minutes, enhancing accessibility for fans and delegations.
The city’s compact, walkable downtown, strong hospitality offering and proven track record in hosting major international events made it a standout choice for Team Ireland. In total, Long Beach will host eight Olympic sports, including artistic swimming, water polo, handball, beach volleyball, sport climbing, sailing, canoe sprint, open water swimming and rowing, as well as eight Paralympic sports, underlining its status as one of the most active hubs of LA 2028.
The OFI will work closely with local partners, including the City of Long Beach and venue operators Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr. and Luca Fiorini, to deliver an unforgettable Games-time experience for Team Ireland and its supporters.