The LA28 organizing committee has proposed moving the Los Angeles Olympics diving competition from the site of the 1932 Olympics competition on the USC campus in Exposition Park to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena.
The aquatics center at USC on the campus south of downtown Los Angeles, was part of the Games Plan venue proposal submitted by LA28 in June 2024. After reviewing the plan in more detail over the past year, organizers decided the Rose Bowl location, opened in 1990, would be a better fit for 2028.
Organizers cited athlete safety concerns among the reasons behind the proposal.
“This presents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events, with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our diving athletes, with their safety remaining our top priority,” said Reynold Hoover LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “The decision to stage Diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is beneficial on all fronts, and we’re grateful to our Host City and Venue City partners for their unwavering support and collaboration as we finalize the 2028 Games Plan.”
A change of venue is proposed for a Los Angeles Olympics event. Video broadcast Thursday Aug. 28, 2025 on Today in LA.
The pool in Exposition Park, located next to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was originally constructed for the 1932 Olympics when it hosted diving, swimming, water polo and the swim event for the modern pentathlon.
For the 1984 Olympics, diving events were at the Olympic Swim Stadium, now known as Uytengsu Aquatics Center after renovations in 2014. It is home to USC’s swim and dive team and the water polo team.
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center requires fewer improvements to host the competition than the 1932 Olympics pool, LA28 said in a news release.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to create a task force for the 2028 LA Olympics. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.
“Additionally, this facility resolves athlete safety concerns, provides additional athlete amenities and spectator seating, and affords significant revenue increases and cost savings for the overall Games budget,” LA28 said in its news release.
World Aquatics, the international diving federation, advised organizers that the Exposition Park outdoor pool did not meet Olympic diving standards, citing athlete concerns over pool width and depth, the diving towers’ orientation to the sun and clearance behind the towers.
An analysis determined the pool would require a complete reconstruction, according to the LA28 proposal.
Adding to operational complexities in the Exposition Park zone, the area also will host track and field, flag football, lacrosse, badminton, rhythmic gymnastics and ceremonies.
The proposed relocation will be considered later the year by the Los Angeles City Council, one step in the venues plan approval process.
The LA 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremony is July 14, 2028 with competition through July 30, 2028. The LA28 Paralympic Games will kick off Aug. 15, 2028 and close Aug. 27, 2028.
Earlier this summer, LA28 released its first look at the Olympic competition schedule.
