LA 2028 Equestrian Events at Santa Anita Park
Aug 14, 2026
LA 2028 Equestrian Events at Santa Anita Park: Everything Fans and Competitors Need to Know
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, equestrian sports are officially heading to one of the most iconic racing venues in North America: Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
For international riders, event organizers, and horse sport enthusiasts, the venue selection marks a major milestone. Here is everything you need to know about the location, the logistics of competing in Southern California, and what fans can expect from LA28.
A Storied Olympic Legacy
This won't be Santa Anita’s first turn on the Olympic stage.
The venue previously hosted the equestrian events for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Returning to Santa Anita allows LA28 to deliver a world-class athlete experience while utilizing existing, permanent sports infrastructure—a core pillar of the 2028 Games' sustainability plan.
Located just northeast of Los Angeles, Santa Anita offers:
A grandstand capacity exceeding 26,000 spectators.
Historic architecture featuring iconic Art Deco elements built in the 1930s.
Unrivalled mountain backdrop views against the San Gabriel range.
The Big Three Disciplines at LA28
The Games will feature three core equestrian Olympic disciplines:
|
Discipline |
What to Expect at Santa Anita |
Key Logistic Focus |
|
Dressage |
Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle held in the main arena setting |
High-precision footing and climate-controlled staging |
|
Show Jumping |
Multi-round technical courses designed for world-class competition | Expansive warmup facilities and stable proximity |
|
Eventing |
Dressage, Jumping, and Cross-Country | Adapting turf management for the Cross-Country phase |
3 Critical Factors for International Competitors
Preparing high-performance sport horses for an Olympic journey into Southern California presents unique logistical considerations:
International Flight Logistics: Transport & Quarantine.
Most international horses will arrive via specialized equine air transport into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Ontario International Airport (ONT), following strict USDA quarantine protocols before moving to venue stabling.
Managing Southern California Heat: Acclimatization.
While Santa Anita sits in a microclimate near the mountains, late July and August in Southern California can bring high temperatures. Teams will rely heavily on specialized cooling protocols, ice baths, and adapted training schedules.
Main Arena & Footing Prep: Surface & Footing.
Riders and chefs d'equipe will pay close attention to footing transformations, ensuring surfaces meet top FEI standards for jumping and dressage atop traditional track surfaces.
Planning Your Visit as a Fan
If you're planning to attend LA28 as a spectator, keep these tips on your radar:
Location: Arcadia is situated about 18 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Transportation: Utilizing public transit via the Metro A Line (Arcadia Station) will be key to avoiding peak Los Angeles traffic on event days.
Accommodations: Look for stays in Pasadena, Arcadia, or Monrovia for quick access to the venue.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on official LA28 ticketing announcements. Equestrian sessions in high-capacity venues like Santa Anita are expected to sell out quickly during initial lottery phases.
