Kathleen Kennedy Named LA28 Ceremonies Lead

The veteran producer replaces Peter Rice as the head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Olympics

Kathleen Kennedy Named LA28 Ceremonies Lead

Live Poll

Do high-profile executive changes significantly impact the quality of large-scale local events in your area?

Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed as the new head of ceremonies and content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She succeeds Peter Rice, who stepped down to become the chief content officer at Netflix.

Why it matters

Kennedy will manage the creative direction for the upcoming Games in coordination with creative director Ben Winston. This leadership transition occurs as the organizing committee prepares for the 2028 event across multiple host cities.

The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will feature venues in Oklahoma City and six additional host cities.

The players

Kathleen Kennedy

She is an executive producer who is now leading the ceremonies and content division for the LA28 Games.

Peter Rice

He is the former head of ceremonies and content for LA28 who departed to become the chief content officer at Netflix.

Ben Winston

He serves as the creative director for the LA28 organizing committee.

The details

Kennedy joins creative director Ben Winston to oversee the production of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Los Angeles Games. The appointment follows the departure of Peter Rice, who accepted an executive role at Netflix in October 2026.

Kathleen Kennedy began attending Olympic games in 1984.
Peter Rice was named Netflix chief content officer in October 2026.
The appointment of Kathleen Kennedy was announced on October 28, 2026.
The Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games are scheduled for 2028.

Season Trajectory

This transition marks a significant shift in the creative leadership of the 2028 Games as preparations scale up. It updates the organizational trajectory established since the committee began planning for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

This leadership change impacts the development timeline for the opening and closing ceremonies in Los Angeles. Fans can expect further creative announcements as the committee coordinates events between Los Angeles and secondary host sites like Oklahoma City.

The takeaway

The appointment of an experienced producer signals a focus on high-profile entertainment for the 2028 ceremonies. Viewers should expect significant creative updates as the new leadership team integrates their strategy with existing venue plans.