Olympic Torch Relay Will Visit All 50 States in 2028
The relay across the United States will precede the upcoming Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Olympics
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In the spring of 2028, the Olympic torch relay will travel through all 50 U.S. states. The flame will journey toward the Opening Ceremony following its origin in Olympia, Greece.
Why it matters
The route aims to engage the entire nation in the Olympic spirit as the United States prepares to host the Summer Games for the first time since Atlanta in 1996.
The relay covers all 50 states, marking a significant national tour 32 years after the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. The specific path remains unknown until the official route announcement in 2027.
The players
Olympia, Greece
This historic site serves as the traditional origin point for the Olympic flame before it begins its journey to the host city.
Stoke Mandeville, England
This location is the recognized birthplace of the Paralympic movement and serves as the starting point for the Paralympic torch relay.
The details
Beginning in Olympia, Greece, the flame will arrive in the United States to traverse the country throughout the spring of 2028. Following the conclusion of the Olympic relay, a separate Paralympic torch relay will commence in August 2028 starting from Stoke Mandeville, England.
Timeline
Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996.
Organizers will reveal the torch relay route in 2027.
The Olympic torch relay travels across the US during the spring of 2028.
The Paralympic torch relay begins in August 2028.
Season Trajectory
This relay updates the geographic engagement model established by the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. The expansive tour shifts the focus toward national participation leading up to the Los Angeles Games.
Residents in all 50 states will see the torch pass through their state as it moves toward the Los Angeles host site. This tour provides a rare opportunity for local communities to participate in the lead-up to the 2028 Games.
The takeaway
The 2028 relay is designed to foster national unity by bringing the Olympic flame to every state in the country. Residents can monitor future announcements from organizers to see when the flame will be near their local community.
What happens next
Organizers are scheduled to reveal the complete details of the torch relay route in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming games by visiting our Olympics section.
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