When is the Olympic torch coming to Phoenix in 2028?

On October 7, Phoenix City Council approved entering into an agreement for the city to participate in the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay, including a community cauldron-lighting event. It’s an exciting step toward bringing the Olympic flame to Arizona. The exact local date and location still need to be settled.

I’m keeping this guide focused on the questions you’d ask before making plans: Where can we watch? Can someone we know carry the torch? Will we need tickets? As details come out, this page will be a place to find clear answers and official links.

When is the Olympic Torch Relay coming to Phoenix?

The city’s report describes a Phoenix visit in summer 2028, before the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Phoenix and LA28 will agree on the specific date. There isn’t a confirmed day to put on your calendar yet. File #: 26-2118

The Los Angeles Olympic Games are scheduled for July 14–30, 2028. Those are the Games’ dates, not the dates of the Phoenix relay stop. la28.org

Where will the torch travel in Phoenix?

The city plans call for a relay on Phoenix streets and a cauldron-lighting celebration at a suitable Phoenix venue. The council report doesn’t name the streets, viewing areas or event site. File #: 26-2118

LA28 says the full relay routes will be announced in 2027. Until then, any map showing a specific Phoenix route should be checked against official announcements. la28.org

For now, your favorite viewing spot can stay on your wish list. The folding chairs can stay in the garage.

Will the Olympic torch visit Scottsdale or Fountain Hills?

The approval covered here is for Phoenix. It doesn’t confirm a stop in Scottsdale or Fountain Hills. File #: 26-2118

If you live in either community, wait for the route and event location before planning your drive. Once those details are available, this guide can help you sort through parking, transit and where to watch.

Is Phoenix hosting the 2028 Olympics?

Los Angeles is the host city for the 2028 Olympic Games. Phoenix’s action concerns participation in the torch relay and related celebration. It does not make Phoenix the Olympic host city. la28.org

Still, watching the flame pass through a local community could be a memorable way to feel connected to the Games.

Why is this torch relay special?

LA28 announced on September 29 that the Olympic flame will visit all 50 states for the first time. Its U.S. journey will begin in Atlanta, which hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The flame will first be lit in Olympia, Greece, before traveling to the United States in spring 2028. Phoenix’s planned summer celebration would be one part of that larger journey. la28.org

Can an everyday person become a torchbearer?

Yes. LA28 says members of the public will have an opportunity to be selected through a nomination process. The organizer hasn’t yet shared the full nomination details on its relay information page. la28.org

Have someone in mind who quietly makes your community better? Keep their story handy, then check the official eligibility rules when they’re released. A nomination opportunity isn’t a promise of selection.

Will it be free? Do I need tickets?

I haven’t found confirmed Phoenix admission prices or registration instructions in the official materials linked below. I’ll leave those details open until organizers publish them.

Olympic competition tickets and local torch-relay attendance are separate planning questions. Don’t assume a ticket for one gives you access to the other.

What about parking, road closures and accessibility?

Those practical details are still missing from the materials reviewed for this guide. Before making firm plans, look for:

• Official viewing areas and accessibility information.
• Parking and public transit directions.
• Road closures and arrival times.
• Water, shade and weather guidance.
• Bag rules and any registration requirements.

My advice is simple: get excited now and make the detailed plans once organizers give us something solid to work with.

Why I’m watching this story

What I love about a moment like this is the chance to share it. Maybe you’d go with a friend who watches every Olympic event. Maybe you’d bring someone who’s never seen the flame before. Either way, it could give us a new Arizona memory.

You don’t have to be buying or selling a home to care about what’s happening around you. I want this space to help you enjoy living here, stay informed and find the details that make getting out the door easier.

Bookmark this guide for future updates. Who would you bring to see the Olympic flame?

Be Well, Krisy 🐝
Scottsdale • Fountain Hills • Phoenix
Rooted In Commitment, Inspired By New Beginnings