UCLA's Westwood campus will host six Olympic sports: gymnastics, tennis, soccer, rugby, judo, wrestling, and volleyball. Here's how to get there by Metro and navigate the campus cluster.
UCLA's athletic campus in Westwood will be a major Olympic hub during the 2028 Games. The university is hosting six sports across multiple venues: artistic gymnastics at Pauley Pavilion, tennis at the LA Tennis Center, soccer and rugby at Drake Stadium, and practice events for judo, wrestling, and volleyball throughout campus.
Metro access to UCLA is straightforward, with both rapid transit options and reliable backup service. The primary route is the B Line Red (former Red Line), which connects downtown LA to the Westwood area. Additionally, the D Line Phase 2 extension is planned to reach Westwood/VA Hospital station by 2028, which would provide even more direct access to the campus.
The B Line Red is the fastest current Metro connection to UCLA. This light rail line runs from downtown LA through several neighborhoods, with the Westwood/VA Hospital station at its northern terminus. From there, it's a short walk to the main UCLA athletic campus and all Olympic venues.
| Route | Time from Union Station | Frequency (Peak) | Frequency (Off-Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B Line Red to Westwood/VA Hospital | Approximately 35–40 minutes | Every 6–8 minutes | Every 10–15 minutes |
| Walk to Pauley Pavilion | 8–12 minutes | Pedestrian-friendly campus paths | |
Once you exit the Westwood/VA Hospital station, the UCLA athletic campus is directly accessible via well-marked pedestrian paths. All major Olympic venues are within a reasonable walking distance, and the campus is relatively compact for athletes and spectators.
The campus maintains accessible sidewalks and wayfinding signage. During the Olympics, UCLA will deploy additional signage, pedestrian guidance, and shuttle services to help spectators navigate between venues.
Pauley Pavilion, UCLA's iconic basketball arena, will host artistic gymnastics during the 2028 Olympics. The venue seats approximately 13,800 spectators and offers excellent sight lines for all apparatus events. Pauley is a historic venue that opened in 1965 and has hosted countless UCLA Bruins basketball games.
Getting there: B Line Red to Westwood/VA Hospital (8–10 minute walk), or use campus shuttle from the station. Accessibility features include elevators, wheelchair-accessible seating, and accessible restrooms.
The LA Tennis Center, located on the UCLA campus, will host Olympic tennis during 2028. The facility features multiple courts with seating for thousands of spectators. It's a world-class tennis facility that has hosted professional tournaments for decades.
Getting there: B Line Red to Westwood/VA Hospital, then 8–10 minute walk or campus shuttle. Tennis can be spread across multiple days, so plan to visit multiple times if you're a fan of the sport.
Drake Stadium, UCLA's football and field sports venue, will host Olympic soccer and rugby matches during 2028. The stadium seats approximately 15,000 spectators and is located on the western edge of the UCLA campus. Both men's and women's soccer events, along with rugby sevens, will take place here.
Getting there: B Line Red to Westwood/VA Hospital (10–12 minute walk), or use campus shuttle. This is the farthest venue from the Metro station, so allow extra time during peak crowds.
UCLA also hosts practice and qualification events for judo, wrestling, and volleyball. These are spread across multiple facilities on the campus, including smaller arenas and training facilities. While not the primary competition venues, they offer unique opportunities to watch Olympic athletes in training and preliminary rounds.
If you prefer buses or if the B Line is temporarily unavailable, several Metro bus routes serve the UCLA area and provide reliable alternatives.
Buses are economical ($1.75 per ride or $5 day pass) and frequent during Olympic events. However, they can be slower during peak congestion. Plan extra time if using buses during major event days.
Big Blue Bus, Santa Monica's transit system, also serves the UCLA area and offers connections to the wider LA region. Some routes run through Westwood and can be useful if you're coming from the west side or Santa Monica area.
UCLA operates its own shuttle system (BruinBus) for students, staff, and visitors. During the 2028 Olympics, UCLA may offer enhanced shuttle services connecting Metro stations to Olympic venues. Check UCLA's Olympic transportation page closer to the Games for shuttle schedules.
If you're flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you can reach UCLA by Metro with one or two transfers.
Route: Take the Airport Metro Connector from LAX terminals to the A Line (Green Line). Ride to downtown LA and transfer to the B Line Red heading north to Westwood/VA Hospital. Total travel time is approximately 60–75 minutes depending on connections.
Alternatively, rideshare or rental car options are available if you prefer more direct service, though traffic in LA can be unpredictable.
UCLA's compact venue layout makes it ideal for catching multiple events in a single day. Here's a smart strategy:
While Metro and bus service are strongly recommended, UCLA does offer parking on campus. However, parking during the 2028 Olympics will be limited, expensive, and subject to congestion. Campus parking rates typically range from $8 to $15 per day, but Olympic event parking may cost more.
UCLA is also implementing parking restrictions and dynamic pricing to manage vehicle congestion during the Games. Advance parking reservations may be required.
Recommendation: Use Metro or bus service. It's faster, cheaper, and stress-free compared to parking on campus or hunting for street parking in Westwood.
UCLA's campus has numerous dining options, coffee shops, and food vendors. During the Olympics, additional food service areas will open to handle crowds. Expect longer lines and premium pricing during major events.
Just south of campus, Westwood Village is a lively neighborhood with restaurants, cafes, and shops. It's about a 10–15 minute walk from the athletic venues. This is a great spot to grab a meal before or after events.
All Olympic venues have adequate restroom facilities. Lines can be long during event breaks, so use facilities before major events if possible. Campus buildings also have public restrooms.
The LA Metro D Line Phase 2 extension to Westwood/VA Hospital is targeted to open in 2028, aligning with the Olympic Games. However, Metro construction projects sometimes experience delays. If the D Line is not ready, the B Line Red and bus routes provide reliable alternatives with only slightly longer travel times.
UCLA hosts artistic gymnastics (Pauley Pavilion), tennis (LA Tennis Center), soccer and rugby (Drake Stadium), and practice venues for judo, wrestling, and volleyball. This makes UCLA one of the most important Olympic venue clusters in LA.
Pauley Pavilion to Drake Stadium takes about 10–12 minutes on foot. The Tennis Center is 8–10 minutes from Pauley. All major venues are within a 15-minute walk of each other, making the campus ideal for spectators visiting multiple events.
Yes. Take the Airport Metro Connector from your terminal to the A Line (Green Line), transfer downtown to the B Line Red, and ride north to Westwood/VA Hospital. Total time is approximately 60–75 minutes. It's the most economical option for airport transfers, though rideshare may be faster during off-peak hours.
Metro buses 2, 302, and 720 Rapid provide reliable service to UCLA and Westwood. The B Line Red continues to serve the area. Big Blue Bus also connects the westside and Santa Monica to UCLA. While buses may take longer than the D Line would, they ensure transit access regardless of delays.
Yes, both the B Line Red and planned D Line stations at Westwood/VA Hospital feature elevators, wheelchair-accessible platforms, and ADA-compliant restrooms. Campus paths are also accessible for mobility devices.
A single Metro ride costs $1.75. A Day Pass (unlimited rides for 24 hours) costs $5. Weekly passes ($20) are available if you're attending multiple events across several days. Student, senior, and disabled discounts are also available with proper identification.
UCLA will likely operate enhanced shuttle service during the Olympics, but specific details will be announced closer to 2028. The campus is walkable, so shuttle service is optional rather than necessary.
UCLA Olympic transportation details are still being finalized. For the latest information on venue access, shuttle services, and Metro updates, check metro.net or the official LA 2028 Olympics website closer to the Games.