PlayLA Launches Summer Season of Youth Sports, Inspiring Olympic Spirit Across Los Angeles

This summer, PlayLA Youth & Adaptive Youth Sports Program, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks signature youth sports program, is engaging families with a new season of inclusive, low-cost sports activities designed to uplift the next generation of athletes. Backed by a historic $160 million investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), PlayLA is a movement celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirit in every neighborhood.

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Flag Football in action at Lanark Recreation Center as part of PlayLA programming. Learn more at www.laparks.org/play-la

Now through summer’s end, families can explore dozens of PlayLA activities at more than 120 recreation centers and pools across Los Angeles. Youth ages 3 - 17 can play Olympic and Paralympic sports like swimming, skateboarding, flag football and more for as low as $10 per season. Scholarships are available for eligible families. Registration is open for programming across the city. Learn more at LAParks.org.

“PlayLA is a community-powered pipeline to LA28,” said Veronica Polanco, Chief Innovation Officer at the Department of Recreation and Parks. “When our young people have access to sports and adaptive recreation close to home, we’re not only promoting healthier lives, we are planting seeds for a lifelong connection to the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.”

This momentum will build toward PlayLA Day on July 14, a citywide celebration, hosted by The Friends of the Coliseum, marking exactly three years until the LA28 Opening Ceremonies. Families are invited to enjoy free sports clinics, meet local athletes and take part in community fun that showcases the power of youth sports in shaping a brighter, more equitable future. PlayLA is not just preparing kids for the Games, it’s helping them build important skills such as leadership, teamwork and discipline to succeed across various areas of their lives.

As the countdown to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games continues, PlayLA stands as a living legacy providing real-time impact while creating a more inclusive and active Los Angeles. The program offers young Angelenos of all backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to gain confidence, build community and discover their passions through play.

About PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program:

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks PlayLA Youth & Adaptive Youth Sports Program is a city-wide initiative that provides access to quality sports programming for youth of all abilities between the ages of 3 - 17. Made possible by an investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), PlayLA is the single largest commitment to youth sports development in California and serves as a legacy before, during and after the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Learn more at LAParks.org and stay connected for updates and announcements on Instagram at @laparks.playla and @lacityparks.

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PlayLA, a movement celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirit in every neighborhood, is engaging families with a new season of inclusive, low-cost sports activities.