"VAN" (Sports Desk - 08.05.2026) :: Four world-class cities will host the Olympic Q-Series (formerly the Olympic Qualifier Series) in an exciting and expanded format on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games . The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that, in 2028, Tokyo (Japan), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China), Montreal (Canada) and Orlando (USA) will each host one stop of the series. The sports programme for each stop will be confirmed at a later date, with 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football and skateboarding set to feature.
Speaking about this news, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “The Q-Series is an exciting global event on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games. It's one format, four stops, six sports. The goal is to boost athlete visibility and global fan engagement. We cannot wait for the series to kick off."
She continued: “We believe the Olympic Q-Series will be really exciting for fans and for the host cities. The fans will be right there with the action – the festival feel, the sport, music, culture – coming to life in iconic cities. It will be fast paced and high energy, with lots of action, world-class athletes and a huge focus on youth.”
The Olympic Q-Series is the result of a collaboration between the IOC and six International Federations. It will form a central pillar of the qualification pathway, offering athletes a decisive opportunity to secure direct quota places for LA28 shortly before the Games begin.
Where and when will the Q-Series events be held?
The four stop series will feature two back to back events, first in Asia in May, then in North America in June. It opens in Tokyo, the city where 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, climbing and skateboarding made their Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Just one week later, the event lands in Shanghai, returning to the city where the Q-Series began in 2024.
In June, the series crosses the Pacific to Montreal, back to the iconic 1976 Olympic Park as it reopens to a new generation. The journey comes to a close in Orlando, drawing athletes and fans to the East Coast of the US on the final stretch of the road to the LA28 Olympic Games.
Stop 1: Tokyo, 4–7 May 2028
Stop 2: Shanghai, 11–14 May 2028
Stop 3: Montreal, 1–4 June 2028
Stop 4: Orlando, 8–11 June 2028
What sports will the Q-Series include?
The Olympic Q-Series 2028 will feature six sports/disciplines:
3x3 basketball
Beach volleyball
BMX freestyle
Climbing
Flag football
Skateboarding
BMX freestyle, climbing and skateboarding are making a return following their inclusion in the inaugural edition in 2024, while 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball and flag football further strengthen the Q-Series programme and reflect the continued evolution of the Olympic sports programme, particularly in youth-focused disciplines.
The sports that will feature in each of the stops will be confirmed in due course.
How will the Olympic Q-Series build on the success of the previous qualification events?
The decision to elevate and expand the Olympic Q-Series builds on the strong success of the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series in 2024. Events in Shanghai and Budapest (Hungary) demonstrated the effectiveness of the concept, bringing together multiple sports in compact, festival-style urban settings that delivered the highest level of competition, significant spectator attendance, exciting partner activations and substantial global broadcast and digital engagement.
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