Long Beach has been selected by the National Olympic Committee of Denmark as its preferred base of operations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, city officials said this week, with the establishment of the official House of Denmark, including a high-performance location in Downtown Long Beach.
This is the second National Hospitality House that Long Beach has secured for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In addition, Denmark as a country expects to bring its historic Danish training ship – the DANMARK – to Long Beach during the Olympic Games, subject to final approvals and permits, according to the city’s press release. The ship is envisioned as a cultural and educational platform highlighting Denmark’s maritime heritage and longstanding ties to the United States.
“The arrival of Denmark’s historic sailing ship would be a powerful reminder of how the Olympic Games bring the world together, and we look forward to experiencing their one-of-a-kind cultural events right here in our city,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Long Beach continues to be a sought-after destination for countries around the world to activate unique spaces and celebrate our shared values of sport, culture and global friendship.”
House of Denmark will be located at The Westin Long Beach and will serve as the central hub for the Danish Olympic Committee during the Olympic Games, providing space for athlete support, official meetings and international engagement. The facility will also function as a high-performance base for Danish Olympic athletes competing in Long Beach and surrounding venues, according to the press release.
High-performance locations are specialized hubs that offer Olympic athletes comprehensive sports medicine, recovery, nutrition, and mental health support to maximize their training and performance during the Games.
“It is an honor to welcome the Danish Olympic Committee, the training ship DANMARK and VisitDenmark to Downtown Long Beach for the 2028 Olympic Games,” First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas said in a statement, whose district includes the downtown area. “Their anticipated special events and activities will not only bring a once-in-a-lifetime moment to our community but will also boost our Downtown waterfront and tourism economy. We look forward to celebrating Denmark’s rich heritage, culture and presence during the 2028 Games.”
The training ship DANMARK, built in 1933, has served for decades as Denmark’s nautical ambassador and maritime education platform. Manned by professional crew and maritime cadets, the ship symbolizes leadership, seamanship, and international cooperation, according to the press release. All activities related to the ship and associated cultural programming will be finalized pending applicable permits and approvals.
“Long Beach offers an exceptional environment for Denmark during the 2028 Games with its world-class waterfront, innovative spirit, and commitment to sustainability,” Klaus Clemmens, regionally-based Danish Olympic Committee representative, said in a statement. “We are proud to share our maritime heritage and to use these spaces to foster dialogue on greener solutions that can benefit communities in both our countries.”
The coastal city continues to be a sought-after destination by National Olympic Committees (NOC), National Paralympic Committees (NPC), and other stakeholders interested in activating space for the 2028 Olympic Games, including team headquarters, hospitality houses, brand activations, and watch parties, city officials said.
Through its Office of Global Partnerships and Protocol, the city continues to meet with international delegates from around the world to showcase the many benefits Long Beach has to offer. As a venue city for the 2028 Summer Games, Long Beach is set to host the largest number of sporting events outside of the host city of Los Angeles, staging 11 sporting events for the Olympics and seven for the Paralympics.
Long Beach officials also see the Games as an opportunity for local businesses and the community to get involved. Local businesses and property owners interested in renting out their space can submit an online interest form to get connected with Games stakeholders interested in activating space in the city.
“City staff from every department is hard at work preparing for the 2028 Games and inviting National Olympic and Paralympic Committees like Denmark to activate spaces in Long Beach is one of the many ways we are preparing for this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” City Manager Tom Modica said in a statement. “We will continue to implement the core principles of our Strategic Roadmap – equity and inclusion, public safety, and legacy activities – as part of our planning efforts.”
With Denmark’s announcement, Long Beach has become the first city in the region to secure two confirmed National Hospitality Houses for the 2028 Games, officials said. Long Beach was recently selected by the Hellenic Olympic Committee as the location for Greece’s first-ever Team House at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church.
While the city’s role in team houses may vary depending on the needs of the NOCs and activations for spaces, Long Beach will not directly fund or operate the houses, officials said. Long Beach may incur associated costs that would be reimbursed through supplemental agreements with each NOC, but as with much of the 2028 Games preparation, the city intends to take a “fiscally responsible” approach to minimize costs and shared resources, officials said.
More information about Long Beach’s commitment to the LA28 Games is available at longbeach.gov/2028Games.