Santa Monica Will Not Host 2028 Olympics Volleyball After Talks Hit Stalemate

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica will not host beach volleyball for the 2028 Summer Olympics following a stalemate in talks between the city and organizers of the games, officials announced Tuesday.

The announcement came after nearly two years of negotiations between the city and LA28, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee, to iron out a plan for Santa Monica State Beach to host volleyball. In a release, city officials said that "despite good-faith efforts to reach a deal," the parties were unable to agree to terms concerning community benefits, operational details and financial guarantees.

LA28 plans to host beach volleyball elsewhere on the coast, but hasn't yet revealed where, the committee said.

Organizers had envisioned Santa Monica — the birthplace of the sport's modern form — as the location for beach volleyball since Los Angeles' first bid for the games in 2016.

A study completed by the city last fall found Santa Monica would incur a net loss of $1.45 million as a venue city, while not hosting a competition could lead to $10.65 million in profit from tourism.

In Tuesday's statement, local leaders said Santa Monica is ready and eager to host the hordes of visitors coming to LA for the games.

“When the world shows up to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics, we look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of participants and sports enthusiasts to Santa Monica for an iconic California experience,” Santa Monica Travel and Tourism President/CEO Misti Kerns said. “With our key location and proximity to LA28 venues, our beachside city is already seeing strong demand for the summer months of 2028.

"Our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping areas are working to create additional packages and experiences while looking forward to hosting Olympic visitors during this exciting time for the region.”