Shanghai named one of 4 host cities for 2028 Olympic Q-Series
Shanghai is set to host one stop of the Olympic Q-Series on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee has announced.
This means Shanghai will host the Olympic Q-Series for the second time. Formerly known as the Olympic Qualifier Series, the series will feature six sports: 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding. Besides Shanghai, Tokyo (Japan), Montreal (Canada), and Orlando (the United States) will each stage one stop of the series, with events scheduled for May and June 2028.
The lineup for each host city will be announced at a later date.
Schedule
The four stops will be held in two phases, starting in Asia before moving to North America.
| Stop |
Location |
Dates |
| First |
Tokyo |
May 4-7 |
| Second |
Shanghai |
May 11-14 |
| Third |
Montreal |
June 1-4 |
| Fourth |
Orlando |
June 8-11 |
Shanghai hosts for second time
This marks the second time the Qualifier Series has come to Shanghai, after the city hosted a stop during the Paris 2024 qualification cycle. The 2028 edition will be held at West Bund in Xuhui district, a signature stretch of the city's acclaimed waterfront zone.
Local organizers plan to expand the sporting event into a broader festival by drawing on Shanghai's established music, light art, and coffee culture events, encouraging visitors to explore West Bund's waterfront shops, cafes, and public spaces.
New sports, expanded field
BMX freestyle, climbing, and skateboarding were part of the inaugural Series in 2024. For the 2028 cycle, the program has grown to include 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, and flag football. The expansion opens the door for more athletes to chase their Olympic dreams across four global stops.
"The Q-Series is an exciting global event on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games," said IOC President Kirsty Coventry. "It's one format, four stops, six sports. The goal is to boost athlete visibility and global fan engagement. We cannot wait for the series to kick off."
Sources: International Olympic Committee, Shanghai Administration of Sports