Paralympic Games · August 15–27, 2028

Paralympic sport comes to Long Beach

Seven sports, 72 ticketed sessions and a first: Para Climbing makes its Paralympic debut in Long Beach.

Paralympic calendar

Sports

7 Paralympic sports in Long Beach

Sessions run on 12 of the 14 days of the Paralympic Games, including 30 final sessions.

Shooting Para Sport

Precision events for athletes with physical impairments, with sport classes based on whether athletes need support to hold the equipment.

Aug 16–24 · Long Beach Target Shooting Hall

Para Swimming

One of the largest Paralympic sports. Swimmers compete in classes grouping similar impairments: physical (S1–S10), vision (S11–S13) and intellectual (S14).

Aug 17–26 · Long Beach Aquatics Center

Sitting Volleyball

Six-a-side volleyball on a smaller court with a lower net. Players must keep contact with the floor when playing the ball, which makes rallies lightning quick.

Aug 17–27 · Long Beach Arena

Para Rowing

Adaptive boats and classes (PR1, PR2, PR3) let athletes with a range of impairments race on the historic Marine Stadium course.

Aug 18–20 · Marine Stadium

Blind Football

Five-a-side football. Outfield players wear eyeshades and follow a ball that contains a rattle; goalkeepers are sighted, and guides call directions from behind the goal.

Aug 20–27 · Alamitos Beach Stadium

Para Canoe

Sprint races in kayaks and va’a (outrigger canoes), with classes based on how athletes use their trunk and legs to power the boat.

Aug 24–26 · Marine Stadium

Para Climbing

Making its Paralympic debut in Long Beach. Categories cover climbers with vision impairments and with upper- or lower-limb impairments.

Aug 24–27 · Long Beach Climbing Theater

A historic debut

Para Climbing joins the Paralympic program for the first time at the Long Beach Climbing Theater, August 24–27.

Explainer

Understanding classification

Paralympic athletes compete in sport classes that group athletes with a similar level of activity limitation. This keeps competition fair, so results are decided by skill, fitness and tactics.

That’s why you’ll see codes like S9 in swimming or PR2 in rowing. Each sport has its own system, published by the International Paralympic Committee and each sport’s federation.

New to Paralympic sport? Pick a session of a sport you already know — like sitting volleyball or swimming — then try something new like blind football.

Accessibility planning

  • Request accessible seating when you buy tickets through LA28
  • Check accessible drop-off points and entrances for your venue
  • LA Metro rail stations have elevators and step-free access
  • Long Beach’s beach path is flat and paved along much of the shore
  • Allow extra time — Games crowds and security add delays

Etiquette

Watching Paralympic sport

Quiet for blind football

Players rely on the ball’s rattle and their guides’ voices. Stay quiet during play and cheer when the ball is dead.

Silence on the range

Shooting needs total focus. Applaud between shots, not during them.

Everywhere else — be loud

Sitting volleyball, para rowing and para canoe finals thrive on crowd energy.