The Olympics are coming to Oklahoma City! In 2028, Oklahoma City will welcome the world as a host city for two Olympic sports: slalom paddle and softball. For a city that already knows how to show up for athletes, compete at the highest level, and make visitors feel at home, it’s a moment worth celebrating.
And we think “Team OKC” has a pretty nice ring to it.
As Oklahoma City prepares to welcome athletes and fans from around the world, Fields & Futures is focused on what this moment can mean for the kids who call our city home.
The World Is Coming to OKC
LA28 selected Oklahoma City to host Olympic slalom paddle and softball competitions, bringing the excitement of the Games right into our backyard. OKC’s world-class venues and deep history with both sports make it a natural fit.
The Oklahoma City Whitewater Center and Riversport OKC is an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site and has hosted major national and international competitions, including U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2016 and 2024. The venue is also scheduled to host major international events leading up to the Games, including the 2026 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
And when it comes to softball, Oklahoma City truly lives up to its title as the Softball Capital of the World.
Home to USA Softball and Softball Park, Oklahoma City regularly hosts some of the sport’s biggest events, including the NCAA Women’s College World Series, USA Softball National Championships, World Cup competitions, Olympic tour stops, and U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
The facilities are world-class. The experience is already here. And in 2028, the world gets to see it.
Building Team OKC Starts Now
For Fields & Futures, the opportunity goes beyond watching the Olympics come to town.
Through our Olympic Strategy, we’re working to elevate softball and rowing across OKCPS Athletics leading up to the 2028 Games – creating more opportunities for students to discover these sports, build skills, and see what’s possible on the biggest stage.
Because a kid doesn’t have to be an Olympian today to start dreaming about becoming one tomorrow. They just need an opportunity to try.
That’s the power of bringing Olympic sports closer to home. A student who might never have considered softball or rowing can discover a new sport. A young athlete can find a coach who believes in them. A middle schooler can see someone competing on the world stage and think, “Maybe I could do that someday.”
That’s where legacy begins.
More Kids. More Sports. More Possibility.
The 2028 Games give Oklahoma City something special: a chance to inspire an entire generation of young athletes while the world is watching.
At Fields & Futures, that aligns directly with our mission to get more kids on more teams.
We believe sports are a pathway to something bigger. They help kids build confidence, discipline, relationships, resilience, and a sense of belonging. And when young people have the opportunity to discover sports they might not otherwise have access to, their possibilities grow.
So as Olympic athletes prepare to compete in Oklahoma City, we’re preparing too.
We’re working alongside coaches, schools, community partners, and supporters to help make softball and rowing more visible, more accessible, and more meaningful for OKCPS students. Because the Olympic moment may last a few weeks, but the impact can last a lifetime.
Join Team OKC
In 2028, the world will be watching Oklahoma City.
We’ll be cheering from the stands, welcoming athletes and visitors, and celebrating the incredible opportunity to host the Games. But we also want to make sure Oklahoma City kids see themselves in that moment. Not just as spectators, but as athletes, teammates, future leaders, and part of Team OKC.
And you can be part of it, too.
Whether you want to lend your time, share your talents, welcome visitors, or help create an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans, there’s a place for you on Team OKC.
Sign up to volunteer and be part of bringing the 2028 Olympic experience to life in Oklahoma City.
The world is coming to OKC. Let’s show them what our city – and our kids – can do!