Ben Winston to Direct 2028 LA Olympics Ceremonies

The 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles are already setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable celebration of sport and culture. A significant step in this direction has been the exclusive appointment of acclaimed producer Ben Winston to lead the creative direction and executive production of the highly anticipated Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Ben Winston to Produce 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Ben Winston, celebrated for his work on high-profile live events, is set to undertake the largest assignment of his career. He has been tapped to serve as executive producer and creative director for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as the Paralympic Games. This role places him at the helm of crafting the televised moments that will launch and conclude the global athletic spectacle.

A Strategic Partnership for Grandeur

To tackle the immense scale of this undertaking, Winston will collaborate with seasoned Olympics veteran Scott Givens, who will assume the role of executive producer for production on both events. Their combined forces have led to the creation of a joint venture named FulFive, a partnership between Winston’s Fulwell Entertainment and Givens’ FiveCurrents banner. This entity is already actively engaged in the planning stages for the LA28 events, the organization tasked with orchestrating the Summer Games and Paralympics.

Peter Rice, the head of ceremonies and content for LA28, expressed confidence in this partnership. He highlighted that the combination of Winston’s creative flair and Givens’ extensive production experience is poised to deliver an epic live television production, commencing with the four-hour Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028.

Embodying Hollywood’s Creative Spirit

The pressure is considerable for the Los Angeles Games to showcase the profound creativity and innovation inherent in Hollywood, its home city. Rice emphasized that the Olympic Games serve as a unifying global force, where national differences are set aside, and athletes, who dedicate their lives to competition for minimal monetary gain, converge. He articulated a fondness for this unifying essence that the ceremonies embody.

LA28 leaders dedicated significant time to evaluating the optimal approaches for this production challenge, especially considering the widespread praise received by the Paris Summer Games for their ceremonies. Rice noted that no other event globally rivals this scale, and Los Angeles offers a unique opportunity to integrate the entertainment world in a way no other city can. He believes the partnership with Ben Winston and Scott Givens successfully merges the logistical confidence required with a distinct, L.A.-based entertainment perspective.

A Glimpse into the Future: The Paris Handover

Ben Winston provided a preview of his capabilities during the challenging Paris-to-LA handover segment at the closing of the 2024 Summer Games. This elaborate television stunt involved Tom Cruise departing the Paris venue on a motorcycle, only to reappear in the Hollywood hills, parachuting with the Olympic flag near the iconic Hollywood sign. The telecast also featured performances from artists deeply rooted in Los Angeles, including Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg, offering a taste of what LA28 might bring.

Winston expressed his honor and excitement for the role, stating that the Olympic and Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of human achievement. He sees Los Angeles, as the home of storytelling, offering a unique opportunity to redefine the ceremonies, aiming to create unforgettable events that inspire and entertain while celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirit and the city’s creative energy.

Key Figures Behind the Grand Production

• Ben Winston: Known for executive producing multiple Grammy Awards telecasts, as well as significant concert specials like CBS’ “Adele: One Night Only” and Disney+’s “Elton John: A Farewell From Dodger Stadium.” His expertise in crafting engaging live television events makes him a fitting choice for the global Olympic stage.
• Scott Givens: A highly decorated professional, Givens has produced over 400 live events and has been involved with 15 Olympic Games, producing 63 global ceremonies. His extensive experience earned him the prestigious Olympic Order, one of the highest accolades from the International Olympic Committee. Givens highlighted the ceremonies as the ultimate challenge in live production, bringing together global headliners, thousands of performers, advanced technologies, and precise timing on the world’s largest platform.

Ceremony Details and Venues

The Opening Ceremony for the 2028 Summer Games is scheduled for July 14, 2028. It will primarily take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which will be rebranded as “2028 Stadium” for the duration of the Games. The Closing Ceremony will follow on July 30. Subsequently, the Paralympic Games will commence on August 15 and conclude on August 27. Los Angeles has a history of hosting the Olympic Games, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984.

Conclusion

The appointment of Ben Winston to produce the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, in partnership with Scott Givens, signals a commitment to blending Hollywood’s unparalleled entertainment prowess with the profound traditions of the Olympic movement. This “dream team,” as described by Peter Rice, is poised to create ceremonies that not only honor the athletes and the spirit of the Games but also captivate billions worldwide with a uniquely Los Angeles-infused spectacle. The anticipation is building for what promises to be an unforgettable global event.