Olympic shooting is officially set to take aim at two SoCal venues for the 2028 Summer Games, and fans can expect a mix of tradition and bold new formats that promise to keep the action sharp and the medals within reach.
Rifle and pistol competitions will unfold at a purpose-built indoor facility inside the Long Beach Convention Center, offering fans a rare chance to witness Olympic shooting within walking distance of other marquee events. Over in South El Monte, the Whittier Narrows Clay Shooting Center will host the shotgun disciplines, continuing its legacy as one of the region’s best training and competition grounds.
This venue confirmation sets the stage for 15 Olympic events across rifle, pistol and shotgun formats, with 340 athlete quota spots on the line. For the Paralympic Games, the program will include 150 quota slots for Shooting Para sport—10 fewer than in Paris 2024—as part of the International Paralympic Committee’s effort to balance gender representation across all sports.
With the events and venues now officially confirmed, USA Shooting CEO Kelly Reisdorf said excitement is already building as the countdown to LA28 begins.
“Competing in front of a home crowd is a rare and special opportunity,” Reisdorf said. “Our athletes are training relentlessly, and we have every confidence they’ll deliver standout performances and earn medals on home soil. We’re ready to show the world what Team USA is made of.”
What’s New for LA28?
The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) has rolled out several format tweaks that will debut ahead of the Games:
- Finals for Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and shotgun events will expand from six to eight athletes.
- The 50m Rifle 3-Position final will now focus solely on the standing position, though all three positions—kneeling, prone and standing—will still be used in qualifiers.
- Mixed team finals in air rifle, air pistol and trap will now feature a single-elimination bracket for the top four teams, removing separate gold and bronze medal matches.
Paralympic Shooting in Long Beach
Paralympic athletes will share the same Long Beach venue for their rifle and pistol events. While the IPC opted to cut Vision Impaired and Para Trap from LA28, the overall Paralympic shooting program remains strong, reflecting the sport’s growing profile on the global stage.
With these announcements, LA28 edges closer to reality—bringing Olympic energy to the heart of Southern California.
Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org. Also, be sure to check out the LA28 website.
