Competition
Olympic Taekwondo and the Road to LA 2028
Taekwondo returns to the Olympics in Los Angeles in July 2028. Here are the dates, weight classes and the qualification period.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 26, 2026Olympic taekwondo at LA 2028 runs July 26 to 29, 2028 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall 1. There are 8 events, 4 for men and 4 for women, each in its own weight class. Athletes earn their place through the Olympic ranking, with points counted from July 2026 to June 2028.
LA 2028 at a glance
- Dates: July 26 to July 29, 2028.
- Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall 1, in downtown Los Angeles.
- Events: 8 weight classes.
- Format: single-elimination bracket with a repechage for athletes beaten by finalists, and separate bronze and gold medal contests.
The schedule is published by the organizers and can change. The last medal sessions run late in the evening Pacific time.
The eight weight classes
| Men | Women |
|---|---|
| Under 58 kg | Under 49 kg |
| Under 68 kg | Under 57 kg |
| Under 80 kg | Under 67 kg |
| Over 80 kg | Over 67 kg |
One athlete per country can compete in each class. The World Championships use more classes than the Olympics, so a fighter may need to change weight to compete at the Games.
How athletes qualify
World Taekwondo ranks athletes by points won at ranked events. For LA 2028, the second ranking period runs from July 2026 to June 2028, and only the points earned in that window count toward Olympic qualification. Ranked events include the Grand Prix series, the Grand Slam Champions Series and the World Championships. The exact quota rules sit in the official LA28 qualification system document published by the IOC, which is updated as the cycle moves on.
Check the taekwondo events calendar for upcoming ranked events.
How an Olympic match works
Bouts are three rounds of two minutes. Fighters score with kicks and punches to the trunk protector and with kicks to the head, and electronic sensors register trunk hits. A head kick is worth more than a body kick, and a spinning kick is worth more than a straight one. A full explanation of points, penalties and replay is in the WT competition rules guide.
A short history
Taekwondo was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games and became a full medal sport at Sydney 2000. It has been on every Olympic program since. Karate appeared once, at Tokyo 2020. See taekwondo vs karate.
How to follow it
World Taekwondo streams Grand Prix and World Championship events on its own channels. Our events calendar lists the next ranked competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games taekwondo events in Dakar in November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is taekwondo at the 2028 Olympics?
July 26 to July 29, 2028, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall 1.
How many weight classes are there at the Olympics?
Eight, four for men and four for women.
What are the Olympic weight classes?
Men: under 58, 68 and 80 kg and over 80 kg. Women: under 49, 57 and 67 kg and over 67 kg.
How do you qualify for Olympic taekwondo?
Through the Olympic ranking. For LA 2028, points earned from July 2026 to June 2028 count.
Since when has taekwondo been an Olympic sport?
It was a demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992 and a medal sport from Sydney 2000.
Can I watch Olympic qualifying events?
Yes. World Taekwondo streams most ranked events online.