Will people boycott the 2028 Olympics?

As of early 2026, there is no organized large-scale boycott planned for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, but there are ongoing political, social, and economic debates that could lead to smaller protests or calls for boycotts by specific groups. The 2028 Games are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles from July 14 to 30, 2028, and will be the third time LA has hosted after 1932 and 1984, with strong public support in California and significant private funding that reduces taxpayer risk. However, some activist groups have raised concerns about issues that could spark boycott calls, including homelessness and displacement concerns as LA prepares venues, labor disputes with hotel and service workers, environmental impacts, and the cost of security, which is expected to exceed $2 billion. Internationally, geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Belarus being banned as teams, the ongoing war in Gaza, and human rights concerns could lead to diplomatic boycotts similar to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics where the US sent no official government delegation but athletes competed. Athlete boycotts are considered unlikely because LA is seen as a desirable location and most athletes have dreamed of competing in the US. Historically, full national boycotts like 1980 and 1984 are rare and require government action, so while protests and social media campaigns are expected, a full boycott of LA 2028 is not anticipated by the IOC.