Which Sports Will Be at Brisbane 2032?
The full Brisbane 2032 sports line-up isn't locked yet, and the direction just shifted. In May 2026 the IOC made clear Brisbane won't match Los Angeles 2028's record 36-sport programme. The years of piling on more sports are over. What that means in practice: the 28 core Olympic sports — athletics, swimming, cycling, gymnastics and the rest — are effectively guaranteed. The open question is which of the newer additions survive the cut. The initial programme gets set at an IOC Session in 2026, with Brisbane organisers already working through data on more than 35 sports alongside the IOC and international federations. So if you're planning a trip around one particular sport, the classics are the safe bet. The newer arrivals are still being sorted.
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in May 2026 the era of expansion is over — Brisbane won't repeat LA28's 36 sports.
- The 28 core sports are locked. The debate is over the optional and host-proposed additions.
- Cricket looks well-placed after its LA28 debut, but nothing beyond the core is officially confirmed for 2032 yet (analysis, not confirmed).
- The initial programme is due to be decided at an IOC Session in 2026.
What's actually confirmed for Brisbane 2032?
The 28 sports on the core Olympic programme are locked in for Brisbane. Beyond that, nothing extra is officially confirmed. After the IOC's May 2026 signal that the total won't keep growing, Brisbane's final list will most likely be leaner than LA28's 36-sport record.
Why is the IOC cutting sports?
On 8 May 2026, IOC President Kirsty Coventry told the Executive Board in Lausanne the Games "can't continue to just get bigger". LA28's 36 sports were a high-water mark, not the new normal. Cost, athlete numbers and the sheer logistics of a bigger Games are all pushing back the other way.
Will cricket be at Brisbane 2032?
Probably — but it isn't signed off. Cricket debuts at LA28 and carries serious weight, with the sport's global body and India's broadcast market behind it. A home Games only strengthens the case in a cricket-mad country. Treat it as likely, not locked. (No official 2032 confirmation yet — this is analysis.)
What about flag football, squash and the other newcomers?
Less certain. Flag football and squash are among the LA28 arrivals whose Brisbane spot isn't guaranteed, and some reporting has flag football as unlikely to carry over. Until the 2026 IOC Session lands, treat every newcomer as still up in the air. (Analysis — check the official programme before betting a trip on it.)
How should this shape your trip planning?
If your trip hinges on watching one sport, build it around a core event that's certain to be on — athletics or swimming, say. Hold off booking around a newer sport until the line-up's confirmed. We'll update this page the moment the IOC Session locks it in. In the meantime, our tickets guide covers when you'll actually be able to buy.
FAQ
How many sports will Brisbane 2032 have?
Fewer than LA28's record 36. The core 28 are locked; the number of extra sports is expected to be smaller after the IOC's 2026 call to stop expanding.
When is the sports programme decided?
The initial programme is due at an IOC Session in 2026, with final detail closer to the Games.
Is cricket confirmed for 2032?
Not officially. It's strongly backed after debuting at LA28, but no addition beyond the core has been formally confirmed for Brisbane yet.
Who decides the Olympic sports programme?
The IOC decides, with input from the host and the international federations. The host can propose sports, but the IOC signs them off.
Where can I follow updates?
We'll update this page as the programme firms up. Independent, sourced, no spin.
By Toby Edmanson, BRIS2032 — Independent Coverage.
