August 2026 News Roundup: Baltics, Croatia, Japan, Mongolia, Philippines, Poland, Serbia
- House Party
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
As we march on to the opening of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, a steady stream of Hospitality House news continues to emerge. Here's the latest roundup.
Baltics: House of Baltics
While not picked up by English-language sources, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have announced that House of Baltics will be located in Culver City for LA28.
As reported by err.ee, this joint Hospitality House will be located at the Wende Museum, which calls itself an"archive and cultural center where art, history, and community come together", according to their official website.
From the Estonia public broadcaster:"The [House of Baltics] will host medal receptions, meetings with international partners, media events and events introducing Baltic culture. The Baltic House will also play an equally important role as a meeting place for fans – a common place to celebrate the Olympic moments of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian athletes."
Culver City is emerging as a Hospitality House hub, with three confirmed venues: Afro Village House, New Zealand House and now, the House of Baltics.
Croatia: Croatia House
One of the first Hospitality House announcements of Los Angeles 2028, Croatia House will be located in the coastal neighbourhood of San Pedro, in the heart of one of the largest Croatian communities outside of Croatia. (The town of San Pedro was very enthusiastic about the announcement back in late 2024!)
It's specific location is now official — Croatia House will be located in San Pedro's Outer Harbour. Part of a massive waterfront development in San Pedro, from Curated Travel Magazine:
"West Harbor, a 42-acre mixed-use project along the Los Angeles waterfront, will provide direct access to the Outer Harbor, where Olympic sailing events will take place during LA28. ... San Pedro’s Outer Harbor will also host the Olympic Croatia House, a cultural hub designed to welcome athletes, fans, and local residents with live broadcasts, team meet-and-greets, and traditional cuisine."
While currently the only Hospitality House in San Pedro, Croatia House is on our House Party can't-miss list thanks to San Pedro's new cultural hub — fans will have ample experiences to take in around Croatia's home-away-from-home.
Japan: Japan House
In our May 2026 News Roundup, we reported that Los Angeles City Councillor Ysabel Jurado filed a motion to open a Japan House in Little Tokyo during LA28. It looks like the Japanese Hospitality House is moving ahead!
The latest: in the August 14 Los Angeles City Operations Committee Meeting, a series of LA City departments were instructed to move forward with negotating a lease for the Mangrove Parking Lot in Downtown LA, at 426-462 East Temple Street. As noted in the motion:
"Japan House would bring together athletes, sponsors, media and millions of Japanese Americans and global visitors during 2028 Olympic Games and include:
Signature dome structure under the Tokyo Dome brand
Indoor and outdoor multi-sport facilities for baseball, basketball, judo, kendo, etc.
Tokyo Dome-branded hospitality and entertainment zones
Japanese cultural and commercial village with priority tenancy for legacy businesses ...
Olympic athlete programming, fan engagement, and cultural exchange events"
We'll be keeping watch to see if the lease is successfully negotiated by the City of Los Angeles — if so, it'll be the first Hospitality House in DTLA.
Mongolia: Mongolia House
After appearing for the first time at Paris 2024, it appears that Mongolia House will be back for the next Summer Olympic Games.
In April, the President of the Mongolia National Olympic Committee, Battushig Batbold posted on Instagram, teasing the opening of a Mongolian Hospitality House for LA28:
"Always a pleasure visiting National Houses during the Olympic Games — a unique way to experience how each country shares its culture, vision and hospitality with the world. ... These experiences continue to inspire us as we explore new ways to showcase Mongolia's identity and culture on the global stage ... including a future Mongolia House at LA28."
Philippines: Philippines House
Earlier this year, the Filipino Chef de Mission for LA28, Ricky Vargas, made a trip to Los Angeles to begin to fulfill his mandate in "laying a foundation for a full-blown sports tourism campaign in the US", as reported by Business Mirror.
On his tour, he reportedly visited several sites for a potential Philippines House, where fans, guests and supporters may be hosted during the Olympic Games. Of note, the site exploration included The Petersen Automotive Museum and Film Academy Museum.
According to a House Party source, since Vargas' visit to Los Angeles, a location has been confirmed by not yet formally announced.
Poland: Poland House
100 years after its first appearance at the Olympic Games, Poland opened its first Hospitality House, Maison Polonaise at Paris 2024.
In late 2025, Poland's national news agency, The Polish Press Agency reported that plans are underway for the next edition of Poland House at Los Angeles 2028. Exciting! No other information has yet been made publicly available.
Serbia: Serbia House
Similar to Poland, Serbia opened a Hospitality House for the first time at Paris 2024 and it appears that a sequel is underway!
Earlier this year, Radio Television of Vojvodina (RTV) reported that the President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia (OCS), Dejan Tomašević, was touring Los Angeles.
Of interest, Tomašević was quoted on Radio Belgrade's First Program: "... We visited some locations where we would have a Serbian House during the Olympics. ... What interests us most is to provide our athletes with good conditions, and then to represent our country in the right way in 2028."
We'll be watching closely for more details!
What Hospitality House news are you most excited about?
Baltics
Croatia
Japan
Mongolia
Have you read something interesting or do you have intel about a Hospitality House at LA28? We're always keen to hear... share with us!
