Winter 2026 News Roundup: Africa, Australia, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Pride, Sweden, Switzerland
- House Party
- May 1
- 7 min read
With ticket sales officially underway for Los Angeles 2028, here's a roundup of initial Hospitality House news for the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games. Let the fun begin!
Africa: Team Afro Village
In late January, representatives from the Bahati Foundation presented to Culver City Council the concept of a "Team Afro Village" for Los Angeles 2028.
The central concept of this Hospitality House is "Teranga" — a West-African, Senegalese word that translates to "Hospitality." In the Council meeting, organizers shared the goal of this experience to "build lasting bridges of culture, business and friendship" through a space that is "dedicated to authentic intercultural exchange."
The highlights of their vision:
A Pan-African gathering space
Focused on showcasing cultural, sport, innovation and business strengths
During the Olympic Games and potentially, the Paralympic Games
In their presentation, representatives highlighted the uniqueness of Team Afro Village — whereas most Hospitality Houses represent a singular country, their concept would represent 6-12 countries on the continent of Africa under one banner. The experience would showcase these different African nations and their culture, cuisine and innovation. Daytime programming would include be open to the public and free. In the evenings, experiences would be "curated and controlled".
The proposed location is Media Park in Culver City, with a total footprint of 1.26 acres.
Organizers also shared some assumptions about the experience, including a total opening run of 17 days with an expectation of 2,000 daily visits, with an expected economic impact of USD$4.5M. You can watch the full presentation at this link, starting at 1:17.
Australia: Australia House
After a long 28 years, Australia House will make an appearance at the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In February, the Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee announced they will be opening the doors to Australia House a half-block from the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. The venue will be 57 Windward, a grand indoor/outdoor event space. From the President of Brisbane 2032, Andrew Liveris:
“We’re planning a range of cultural experiences, events and themes showcasing the very best of Brisbane, Queensland and Australia during the Games and there are quite a few Olympic and Paralympic sports planned to take place right near Australia House, adding to the overall experience."
Take a peek at the announcement in the video below:
Croatia: Croatia House
While an exact venue is still to be announced, Croatia announced in late 2024 it will be opening Croatia House in the port city of San Pedro for the duration of the LA28 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Rooted in one of the largest Croatian communities outside of Croatia, this Hospitality House will serve as a cultural hub, showcasing the country's heritage, sport and national identity. From LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker:
"San Pedro has a proud Croatian community that has helped shape the spirit and culture of Los Angeles, and we’re honoured to bring visitors from Croatia, Croatian athletes, dignitaries, and Croatian Angelenos together in the Harbour for the 2028 Olympics. This partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Croatia allows us to showcase Croatian heritage, deepen our international bonds, and celebrate the global cooperation that the Olympics represent. Croatia House will create a space for all to experience Croatian culture firsthand, right here in our port community."
This Instagram reel posted by the official Downtown San Pedro account captures the sheer excitement of this announcement for the city and the Croatian community.
Denmark: House of DEnmark
For the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games, the National Olympic Committee of Denmark will be opening the doors of the House of Denmark at the Westin Long Beach. From the press release:
"House of Denmark, located at The Westin Long Beach, 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."
In addition, the Danes are planning to dock the historic Danish training ship, the DANMARK, in a nearby harbour. Also from the press release: "the ship is envisioned as a cultural and educational platform highlighting Denmark’s maritime heritage and longstanding ties with the United States."
France: Club France
The first Hospitality House announcement for the city of Santa Monica, the French National Olympic and Sport Committee (CNOSF) will be opening Club France at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House for Los Angeles 2028.
Situated directly in front of Palisades Beach in Santa Monica, the CSNOF states Club France will be the "primary gathering point for French athletes, officials, guests, fans, and media at every Olympic Games. The concept blends live event viewing, cultural programming, French culinary offerings, and athlete celebrations in an open, vibrant environment that promotes national pride and international engagement.”
Commissioned in 1927 as a private residence, the now-Annenberg Community Beach House was originally a five-acre estate with over 100 rooms in the main estate. The property included a guest house, gardens, tennis courts and a luxury pool. Today, only the guest house and pool remain.
Here at the House Party Blog, we simply can't wait to dip our toes in that pool!
Greece: Hellenic Olympic House
Opa! In late 2025, it was announced that the Hellenic Olympic House at Los Angeles 2028 will be located in Long Beach at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church.
Famously, the church hosts the annual Long Beach Greek Festival, as the city is home to a large Greek diaspora. From the President of the Greek Olympic Committee:
"In Los Angeles, through this Hospitality House, we will share our culture, history, traditions, as well as the values of Olympism — excellence, friendship and respect that remain our strongest contribution to humanity"
In the press release, organizers state that the experience will offer events and exhibitions related to Greek history, culture arts and sport — and offer the public opportunities to meet Greek Olympians.
Ireland: Team Ireland House
Announced at the beginning of 2026, the famously fun Team Ireland House will call Long Beach home for the LA28 Olympic Games.
After a long venue search, the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) landed on Ovation Square as their Irish home base. Ovation Square is a historic Long Beach venue, a bank built in 1923 in the heart of the city. The capacity of this well-known event venue is 1,100 patrons over a main floor, mezzanine and basement vault space. From the CEO of OFI:
“We are thrilled to bring Team Ireland House to Long Beach for LA 2028. Ovation Square offers a world-class venue in a city that is deeply engaged with the Games and eager to welcome the Irish community. With so many Olympic and Paralympic events taking place nearby, it will be a natural gathering point for athletes, families and supporters. We look forward to creating a vibrant home for Ireland on the West Coast.”
More on the announcement can be found in this video from the Olympic Federation of Ireland:
New zealand: New Zealand House
After its success at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the New Zealand Olympic Committee announced that Culver City will be the home of New Zealand House at LA28.
Announced in October 2025, Culver City Town Plaza and the Culver Steps will make up the open-air venue, welcoming Kiwi and international fans to celebrate the best of New Zealand. From the press release:
"At the heart of the fanzone are large outdoor screens that will broadcast the Olympic Games while a performance stage will host athlete appearances, and community acts, inviting Kiwis and Angelenos alike to be part of the NZ Team’s LA28 story. Beyond the fanzone, it is hoped the Precinct will also feature a unique New Zealand story, showcasing technology, innovation, arts and culture while inviting visitors to experience New Zealand."
Organizers have already announced that their experience will be open to the public and free.
Pride: Pride House
With beginnings at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Pride House has been a staple at each edition of the Olympic Games since — and for LA28, this fun, safe and inclusive Hospitality House will be opening once again, this time in West Hollywood.
Organizers have secured West Hollywood Park as their venue for this culturally-important Hospitality House, which will bring to life their Pride House vision:
"It is the vision of Pride House Los Angeles to create a safe space in the sports world where the LGBTQ+ community can view and celebrate people participating openly and fully without discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. ... The dream of that is — imagine you’re an athlete from a country where you can’t be out. You come here, and you can be safe and sound.”
Pride House will opened with USD$1M of funding from West Hollywood City Council, that will support the creation of temporary stage structure in West Hollywood Park that will seat over 6,000 people. Plenty of space for a real fun party!
It has already been noted that this experience will be open for 17 days across the Summer Olympic Games, and will be open to the public and free.
Sweden: Sweden Arena
While no formal announcement has yet been made, organizers of Sweden Arena have updated their website for Los Angeles 2028. It appears they have now secured a location, and are looking for corporate sponsors to build out the fan experience:
"Located in a prime LA spot, [Sweden Arena is] the home for events, medal celebrations, and receptions, the ultimate place to cheer for our Swedish Olympians together! Partner with Sweden Arena to host events and invite your customers, clients, or employees to share heartwarming and pulse-raising Olympic experiences."
Switzerland: House of Switzerland
In late 2025, the Swiss government approved a sizeable investment to bring House of Switzerland to Los Angeles 2028. The press release notes that this popular and perennial Hospitality House will cost CHF$5.5M or USD$7.03M.
Always a highly-organized experience, the investment will focus on local areas of interest where the Swiss have immense strength: the creative industry, technology sector and sport and health — in addition to a fan-focused experience. In terms of location, organizers have declared:
"The House of Switzerland intends to establish itself in a strategically favourable location in the centre of the megacity. It will be open to all and will offer a rich programme of events, serving as a meeting place where the successes of Swiss athletes will also be celebrated."
Like past editions of the House of Switzerland, its expected this experience will be open to the public and free.
What Hospitality House news are you most excited about?
0%Team Afro Village
0%Australia House
0%Croatia House
0%House of Denmark
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!
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