Eugene, Oregon, will once again take center stage in American track and field after being selected to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. The competition is scheduled for June 17 through June 22, 2028, at Hayward Field, giving American athletes an important opportunity to compete for places on the U.S. Olympic team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The announcement on August 17, 2026, continues Eugene’s long association with the country’s premier track and field competitions. The city has hosted the U.S. Olympic track and field selection process for every Olympic team since 2008. The 2028 event will mark the sixth consecutive U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field held in Eugene.
Hayward Field has developed a reputation as one of the most prominent track and field venues in the United States. Over the years, it has hosted major national and international competitions, including multiple USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships and the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
A Key Step Toward the Los Angeles Olympics
The 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials will carry particular importance because the Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles later that summer. The Los Angeles Games are scheduled for July 14 through July 30, 2028, bringing the world’s attention to Southern California.
For American track and field athletes, the Eugene Trials will be the primary domestic stage for earning Olympic team spots in many events. Competitors will arrive with years of training behind them, knowing that performances at the Trials can determine whether they receive the opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympic Games.
The timing of the Trials is also significant. The competition will take place less than a month before the opening of the Los Angeles Olympics. This creates a demanding schedule for athletes who must balance peak performance at the Trials with preparation and recovery before the Olympic competition begins.
Six-Day Format Planned
One of the major changes announced for the 2028 Trials is the length of the competition. The meet will use a six-day format rather than the eight-day schedule used at recent editions.
The shorter format follows discussions with athletes and is intended to address the compressed timeline between the U.S. Trials and the Olympic Games. Reducing the length of the competition could allow athletes to complete the selection process and then have more time to recover and prepare for their Olympic events.
USATF has also indicated that selection competitions for the decathlon, heptathlon and 10,000 meters will take place earlier in the spring. The dates and location for those competitions are expected to be announced separately.
Specific qualifying standards and qualifying windows for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials have not yet been finalized. Those details are expected to provide athletes with clearer benchmarks as the Olympic cycle progresses into 2027.
Eugene’s Continued Role in Track and Field
The decision to return the Trials to Eugene highlights the city’s established position within American athletics. The community has developed a strong connection to track and field, with Hayward Field regularly attracting elite athletes and large crowds.
Eugene’s history with the sport stretches well beyond the Olympic Trials. Hayward Field has hosted national championships, international meets and major youth competitions, helping establish the city as a recognizable destination for athletics fans.
The venue also hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships, an important international competition that brought athletes from around the world to Oregon.
That experience provides a familiar environment for athletes, coaches and officials preparing for another major event. It also gives fans an opportunity to see many of America’s leading competitors before the Olympic team travels to Los Angeles.
Importance for Los Angeles Sports Fans
Although the Trials will take place in Oregon, the announcement is closely connected to the Los Angeles sports calendar. Track and field will be one of the major sports featured during LA28, with athletics scheduled to be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Coliseum has a long Olympic history. It hosted events during the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games and is set to become the first stadium to host events during three different editions of the Olympic Games.
For Southern California sports fans, the Eugene Trials will provide an early look at the American athletes who could become major figures during LA28. Performances in Eugene will help shape expectations for the Olympic competition and determine which athletes will represent the United States.
What Happens Next
The 2028 Olympic cycle is still in its early stages, meaning athletes have significant time to prepare. Competitors will continue participating in domestic and international meets over the next two years as they work toward the required qualifying marks and selection process.
For now, the key dates are established. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field will take place at Hayward Field in Eugene from June 17 through June 22, 2028.
The announcement represents an important milestone on the road to Los Angeles. Eugene will once again serve as the proving ground for America’s top track and field athletes, while Los Angeles prepares to welcome the Olympic Games later that summer.
With the venue, dates and competition format now taking shape, athletes and fans have a clearer picture of the road ahead. The next major developments will center on qualifying standards, athlete performances and the final preparations leading into one of the most anticipated sporting events in the United States.