Complete guide to getting to every LA 2028 Olympic venue by Metro. Venue-by-venue transit directions, nearest stations, and estimated travel times from downtown LA.
The 2028 LA Olympics will test the Metro system like never before. Games are spread across 10+ venues. This guide covers every venue, which Metro lines reach them, nearest stations, and estimated travel times. Metro will be the primary transportation for Olympic attendees—plan accordingly.
Travel from Downtown LA: 10-15 minutes via Red/Blue Line.
Venue Details: Track and field, Olympic ceremonies, volleyball, basketball preliminaries at adjacent Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center). The heart of the Olympic Games.
Directions: Exit Red/Blue Line at Expo Park/USC station. Walk 5-10 minutes to Coliseum. Crypto.com Arena is immediately adjacent. Signage will direct Olympic crowds.
Capacity: Coliseum: 78K. Crypto.com Arena: 20K. Expect heavy crowds—arrive early.
Travel from Downtown LA: 10-15 minutes.
Venue Details: Olympic swimming, diving, modern pentathlon. Temporary aquatics center built for 2028 Olympics.
Travel from Downtown LA: 25-30 minutes via Red Line to Wilshire/Westwood. Transfer to shuttle or walk 15 minutes.
Venue Details: Water polo, modern pentathlon swimming, rhythmic gymnastics. Pauley Pavilion is UCLA's basketball arena.
Directions: Red Line to Wilshire/Westwood, then shuttle service will run directly to UCLA campus. Walking is possible but not recommended during Games due to distance and heat.
Pro Tip: Arrive early. UCLA campus will be packed. Shuttles may have 20-30 minute wait times during peak hours.
Travel from Downtown LA: 25-30 minutes via Red Line to Wilshire/Westwood, then shuttle or walk to UCLA.
Venue Details: Olympic tennis. 12 courts, seating 8K+.
Travel from Downtown LA: 20-25 minutes to North Hollywood, then shuttle to Sepulveda Basin (additional 10 minutes).
Venue Details: Shooting sports, modern pentathlon events. Remote venue requiring shuttle from Red Line.
Pro Tip: Sepulveda Basin is northeast of downtown in the San Fernando Valley. Get directions before going—shuttles may be infrequent. Plan extra time.
Travel from Downtown LA: 30-45 minutes via Blue Line directly to Long Beach. Transfer to local shuttle to Marine Stadium.
Venue Details: Sailing, rowing, paralympic sailing. Blue Line connects downtown LA to Long Beach waterfront.
Directions: Blue Line terminates in downtown Long Beach. Follow signs for Marine Stadium shuttle. Easy walk if needed (15-20 minutes).
Travel from Downtown LA: 25-30 minutes to North Hollywood, then shuttle to equestrian center.
Venue Details: Equestrian events, modern pentathlon. Similar location to shooting events (Sepulveda Basin area).
Travel from Downtown LA: 5-10 minutes. Direct walk from downtown hotels.
Venue Details: Basketball finals, volleyball finals, badminton. Crypto.com Arena is adjacent to LA Memorial Coliseum complex.
Directions: Multiple lines serve downtown. Exit at 7th Street/Metro Center or Expo Park/USC. Crypto.com Arena is immediately adjacent to Coliseum—you'll see signage.
Parking Nightmare: Parking around Crypto.com Arena during Olympics will be impossible. Do not drive. Use Metro exclusively.
| Metro Line | Color | Key Olympic Stops | Travel Time (Downtown) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Purple/Maroon | 7th St, Expo Park/USC, Wilshire/Westwood, North Hollywood | 10-30 min |
| Blue Line | Blue | 7th St, Expo Park/USC, Long Beach Downtown | 10-45 min |
| Expo Line | Silver | Downtown, Expo Park/USC | 10-15 min |
| Purple Line | Purple | 7th St, Wilshire/Westwood | 15-25 min |
Most Olympic events are at Expo Park/USC area (track, swimming, basketball, volleyball). Take Red, Blue, or Expo Lines from downtown. All three connect 7th Street/Metro Center (downtown) to Expo Park/USC (3-4 stops). Travel time: 10-15 minutes. Trains run every 5-10 minutes during peak Olympic hours.
Arriving at LAX: Take the new LAX people mover to the Metro Green Line. Transfer to Blue Line downtown (30-40 minutes total). From downtown, you can reach most Olympic venues in 10-30 minutes.
Day trip from LAX to Olympic venue (example): LAX → Green Line → Blue Line → Expo Park/USC = 40-50 minutes total.
Expect extreme crowds during Olympic peak hours (evenings, weekends). Plan to arrive 1-2 hours before events. Metro will run extended service (4 AM - 2 AM during Games). Platform crowding is unavoidable.
Pro Tips:
Metro will operate free shuttle services to venues not directly on rail lines (UCLA, Sepulveda Basin, Long Beach Marine Stadium). Shuttles run from designated Metro stations. Expect 20-45 minute wait times during peak hours. Plan accordingly.
Metro is your best option for Olympic transportation. Most events are reachable in 15-30 minutes from downtown. Arrive early, be patient with crowds, and use real-time tracking apps. The Olympic crowds will test Metro's capacity, but the system is designed to handle peak demand. Drive at your own risk—parking will be impossible.