The U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials will make a return to Indianapolis in 2028, as reported by the Indianapolis Business Journal. An official announcement from USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corp. is anticipated on June 3.
Tentatively scheduled to take place over nine days in mid-June at Lucas Oil Stadium, this event will mirror the format of the 2024 Trials, held from June 15 to 23. Indianapolis is also set to host the upcoming U.S. National Championships at the Indiana University Natatorium next week.
After a four-year run in Omaha from 2008 to 2021, Indianapolis successfully hosted the 2024 Olympic Trials, drawing a staggering attendance of 285,000 across its 17 sessions, including a record single-session turnout of 22,209 during the finals on Day 5. Despite Lucas Oil Stadium having a capacity of 70,000 for NFL events, only about 30,000 seats were available for the Trials.
The 2024 competition was marked by remarkable achievements, including two world records: Gretchen Walsh’s new all-time mark in the women’s 100 fly at 55.18 on the opening night and Regan Smith’s record in the women’s 100 back at 57.13 later in the event.
Tim Hinchey, the former CEO of USA Swimming, expressed his enthusiasm about Indianapolis’s performance as a host city, highlighting the unprecedented ticket sales for the event. He referred to this support as a testament to the growing popularity of swimming as a premier Olympic sport, indicating bright prospects for its future.
While Hinchey parted ways with USA Swimming in August 2024, the organization continues to prepare for the future, looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which will be the first time the U.S. has hosted the Summer Games since Atlanta in 1996. This continuing investment in swimming events demonstrates a commitment to fostering talent and engaging fans in the lead-up to the Olympic Games.