Plans for the “Olympic Qualifier Series,” an international event aimed at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) is actively bidding to host, were unveiled on the 29th. This tournament brings together multiple urban sports to be held simultaneously. Japan’s proposal designates the Yoyogi Park area in Tokyo as the main venue, branding it as the “Yoyogi Urban Park.” Additional locations such as Miyashita Park and the observation facility “Shibuya Sky” will be used for related events, aiming to energize the bustling areas of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando.
The Olympic Qualifier Series was established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 2024 Paris Games. This edition is set to feature five sports: skateboarding at the National Yoyogi Stadium, 3×3 basketball at the Yoyogi Second Gymnasium, and sport climbing, beach volleyball, and cycling BMX freestyle park utilizing outdoor venues and temporary facilities in Yoyogi Park.
The event is tentatively scheduled for a four-day period including weekends, between April and June 2028. It is expected to involve around 500 athletes, competing fiercely for coveted Olympic berths just before the Games.
Compared to the previous edition held in Shanghai and Budapest, the number of host cities will increase, with this series potentially taking place in three cities worldwide. The JOC announced its candidacy in March. The IOC is expected to finalize the host cities soon. Orlando, Florida, in the United States, is seen as a strong candidate for the final leg, while Japan aims to host one of the first two events.
