The Olympic Games are basically a living, breathing organism. They grow, they shrink, and honestly, they sometimes get a little weird. If you look at the list of games Olympics organizers have approved over the last century, it’s not just a steady climb toward the sports we know today. It’s a chaotic history of "what were they thinking?" moments mixed with ruthless cuts. We’ve traded tug-of-war for breakdancing and live pigeon shooting for sport climbing.
Change is the only constant.
Right now, we are in a massive transition period. With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games literally right around the corner and Los Angeles 2028 looming large, the "official" list is being rewritten in real-time. If you haven't checked the roster lately, you might be surprised to find that some of the world's biggest sports are finally making a comeback after a century in the wilderness.
The 2028 Shake-up: Cricket and Flag Football?
Los Angeles is doing things differently. Usually, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) keeps a tight lid on things, but for 2028, they’ve leaned into American culture while trying to grab the attention of the massive cricket-loving population in South Asia.
Here is the thing: the list of games Olympics fans can expect in LA isn't just the "standard" 28 sports. The LA28 committee used their power to propose a specific package of "additional" sports. They aren't permanent, but they’re definitely happening.
- Cricket (T20): This is huge. Cricket hasn't been in the Olympics since 1900. By bringing in the fast-paced T20 format, the IOC is basically opening the door to over a billion fans in India and Pakistan.
- Flag Football: A non-contact version of American football is making its debut. It's fast, it's high-scoring, and it's very "LA."
- Squash: After decades of lobbying and being told "no," squash players are finally getting their moment in the sun.
- Lacrosse (Sixes): Another comeback. Lacrosse was played in 1904 and 1908, but then it vanished. It’s coming back in a "Sixes" format—faster, smaller field, more goals.
- Baseball and Softball: They’re back. Again. These two move in and out of the program like they’re playing musical chairs.
Why the flip-flopping? Basically, it’s about money and relevance. The IOC wants "youthful" sports that look good on TikTok. That’s why you see skateboarding and surfing sticking around, while traditional sports like modern pentathlon had to literally replace horse riding with obstacle course racing just to stay in the club.
What Didn't Make the Cut
It’s just as interesting to see what’s missing. You might have noticed that "Breaking" (breakdancing) was a massive talking point during the Paris 2024 Games. Everyone had an opinion on Raygun. Well, if you were hoping for a rematch in Los Angeles, don't hold your breath.
Breaking was cut from the 2028 list.
It’s not necessarily because of the memes. Each host city gets to pick their "add-on" sports based on what works for their local venues and audience. LA decided that flag football and cricket had more commercial "oomph" than breaking. It feels a bit cold, doesn't it? One year you're the star of the show, the next you're not even on the invite list.
Then there is boxing. Boxing has been a staple since 1904, but it’s currently in a sort of "purgatory." Because of massive governance issues with the International Boxing Association (IBA), the IOC actually stripped them of their recognition. For a while, it looked like boxing might be removed from the list of games Olympics altogether for 2028. However, in early 2025, it was confirmed that boxing will be there, but under a very different management structure.
The Brisbane 2032 Outlook: Netball's Big Hope?
Looking further ahead to Brisbane 2032, the conversation is already starting. Australians are sports-mad, and they want to showcase things they’re good at.
Netball is the big one here. It's massive in the Commonwealth, but the IOC usually hates sports that don't have a strong male and female presence globally. Since men's netball is still pretty niche, its inclusion is a long shot. There’s also talk of "Surf Lifesaving" or maybe even "Rugby League 9s."
The final list for Brisbane won't be set in stone until 2026, but expect a heavy "beach and sun" vibe. Surfing is a lock. Skateboarding is likely a lock. The Olympics are no longer just for the "stiff upper lip" crowd.
Why Some Sports Disappear Forever
We should talk about the "ghosts" of the Olympics. The list of games Olympics history has discarded is honestly wild.
- Tug of War: It was an official Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920. It wasn't just a backyard game; it was treated as a sub-discipline of athletics. It got cut because the IOC wanted to "streamline" the program.
- Polo: It was dropped after 1936. The reason? It was too expensive. Shipping horses across the ocean for a small number of wealthy teams just didn't fit the "modern" image.
- Solo Synchronized Swimming: Yes, you read that right. From 1984 to 1992, people "synchronized" with... themselves? The music? It was a bit of a logic puzzle that people eventually realized didn't make much sense.
The trend is clear: if a sport is too expensive, too niche, or doesn't have a massive global governing body, it’s on the chopping block. The IOC is obsessed with a cap of about 10,500 athletes. If you want to add a new sport, you basically have to kick an old one out.
Actionable Insight: How to Keep Up
If you're a fan trying to follow the ever-changing list of games Olympics, don't just look at the "core" sports. Keep an eye on the "Host City Proposals." This is where the most exciting (and temporary) changes happen.
- Check the "Agenda 2020+5": This is the IOC's roadmap. It emphasizes gender equality and urban appeal. If a sport fits that, it has a high chance of being added.
- Watch for the 2026 IOC Session: This is when the official "additional" sports for Brisbane 2032 will likely be finalized.
- Diversify your viewing: The "smaller" sports often provide the most drama because the athletes know their time on the world stage might be a "one-and-done" deal.
The Olympics are moving toward a model where the "core" remains, but the "flavor" changes every four years. It keeps the Games fresh, but it sure makes it hard to keep your favorite sport on the list.
