Overview
- LA28, which opened its Games-time volunteer portal Tuesday, is recruiting roughly 60,000 people to staff the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Volunteer roles cover communications, driving, ceremonies, medical, operations, sport and technology and will be needed mostly in Greater Los Angeles with positions in New York, Oklahoma City, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San José and San Diego.
- Applicants must be at least 18, proficient in English, and available for a minimum of 10 non-consecutive eight-hour shifts, and the selection process includes an online application, teamwork assessments (in-person or virtual), background checks and training.
- LA28 says volunteer roles are unpaid and do not cover travel or lodging, a policy that has provoked strong criticism online over who can afford to volunteer.
- Large volunteer rosters are standard for the Olympics — Los Angeles used nearly 29,000 volunteers in 1984 — and organizers plan a two-year schedule of shortlisting, additional checks and training through 2027–2028 to prepare crews for the Games, a process that may affect local hiring and who can realistically take part.