LA28 named global television and film executive Peter Rice the Head of Ceremonies and Content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, making him the first major Hollywood executive to lead Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. As the lead executive producer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2028 Games, Rice will shape how LA28 welcomes and bids farewell to the world on the greatest stage in sports.
Rice will oversee the creative vision and physical production of all four ceremonies across two of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the 2028 Stadium. This appointment reinforces LA28’s commitment to showcasing Hollywood storytelling and leveraging Los Angeles’ unique position as the entertainment capital of the world. Rice will report directly to LA28 Chairperson and President, Casey Wasserman.
“Peter is one of the rare individuals whose expertise seamlessly combines creativity, operational insight and production excellence to deliver Ceremonies that will captivate audiences around the world,” said LA28 President and Chairperson Casey Wasserman. “He’s been a leading figure in shaping the modern television and film landscape and is the perfect asset to reimagining the delivery of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the digital age, leaving a legacy well beyond the Games.”
Rice’s leadership portfolio includes content that earned 51 Academy Award nominations, 42 Golden Globe nominations and 293 Emmy nominations, while overseeing more than 300 shows and over 4,000 hours of content annually across multiple platforms. His experience spans traditional television, streaming and film, a crucial expertise as the LA28 Games reach audiences across an evolving media landscape.
“Los Angeles stands as a global beacon of entertainment, culture and diversity, and I’m incredibly honored to embark on this next chapter,” said Rice. “I look forward to delivering Ceremonies that honor the legacy of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and celebrate the cutting-edge future of the 2028 Stadium. These venues have hosted some of the most legendary moments in sports history, and I’m thrilled to deliver a powerful artistic experience that adds a new chapter to LA’s Olympic and Paralympic story.”
Rice began his career at 20th Century Fox in 1989, ascending through the company in various roles prior to his 2017 promotion to President of 21st Century Fox. Following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Rice assumed the role of Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Chairman of General Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company.
The LA28 Games will open with the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028, shared between the LA Memorial Coliseum and the 2028 Stadium with both sites featuring artistic elements that celebrate LA’s cultural diversity and creative energy. The Olympic Closing Ceremony returns to the Coliseum on July 30, for a powerful finale. The Paralympic Ceremonies will follow, with the Opening at the 2028 Stadium on August 15 and the Closing at the Coliseum on August 27, bookending LA’s first Paralympic Games and creating a lasting legacy for both venues and the City of Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE LA28 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.
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