The Olympics and Paralympics are woven into the heart and identity of Salt Lake City
When Salt Lake hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics it sparked unity, pride, and healing across the globe. For more than 20 years, proud residents have shared stories of champions competing on the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” We’re eager to welcome the Games, spirit of competition, and the global community once again in 2034.
Countdown to 2034
Preparing to Welcome the World Again
Efforts are underway for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Mayor Mendenhall serves as chair of the Utah 2034 Host Communities Committee, which is tasked with planning and ensuring the 2034 Games benefit all host communities, from collaborating with the Organizing Committee on managing local aspects to economic opportunity and community engagement.
Venues in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City will function as the heart of the 2034 Games, from welcoming all visitors through the Salt Lake City International Airport to hosting venues, athletes, and visitors. This includes:
Delta Center: Hockey
University of Utah: The Olympic Village will host athletes from all disciplines and countries.
Rice-Eccles Stadium: Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Salt Palace Convention Center: International Broadcast Center, Main Press Center, Curling
Downtown Salt Lake City: While all of downtown will be fully activated, it will also be the location for Snowboard Big Air, Freestyle Skating Big Air, and the Medals Plaza.
The Journey to Bring Back the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) award of the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City-Utah in July 2024 was years of work in the making.
July 24, 2024: The IOC awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City, Utah, after a final presentation to the IOC in Paris by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Olympian Lindsey Vonn, Paralympian Dani Aravich, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Chair Gene Sykes, and Fraser Bullock and Catherine Raney Norman.
February 2020: Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall coordinated with Gov. Gary Herbert to create a committee to guide the Salt Lake City-Utah bid for the Games.
November 2023: The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games presented a bid to host the 2034 Games to the Future Host Commission. Mayor Mendenhall highlighted the City’s strengths–partnership, sustainability, volunteerism and community–and unifying opportunities that come from hosting.
February 29, 2024: A bid to host the 2034 Olympics & Paralympics was officially submitted to the IOC by the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. Included in the 5,000-page submission were the Salt Lake’s Games vision, site plans, sustainability studies and financial information.
April 2024: The IOC’s Future Host Commission visited Salt Lake City to tour venues and evaluate preparations.
The Bid
Key points of the 2034 bid centered on:
Championing youth and families
Driving sustainability
Using the same venues from 2002
First-ever “Athlete Family Village,” a plan to offer housing for family members of athletes from around the world, along with ticketing, transportation and other services
The cost to bring the Games back to the state is estimated to be $4 billion and will be privately funded. The Games are projected to generate more than $6 billion in economic impact to Utah.
Salt Lake 2002
The XIX Winter Games were held February 8–24 with more than 2,400 athletes from 78 nations. Winter champions competed in 78 events, including the first-ever women’s bobsleigh competition. Since 2002, we have hosted 175 international winter sports events. More than 30 countries and 1,100 international athletes train for the Olympics and Paralympics in Utah each year, on average.
Honoring Our Legacy
Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary
In February 2022, the Cauldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium was lit once again in honor of our Olympic and Paralympic pride. Local competitions, parades, and events took place throughout the community and at our legacy facilities to commemorate the anniversary.
Hoberman Arch Returns
In August 2023, the Hoberman Arch of the 2002 Winter Games became a permanent public art display at the Salt Lake City International Airport, greeting travelers and celebrating Salt Lake City’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy. The Arch was an iconic feature of the Medals Plaza in 2002. It was designed by Chuck Hoberman and Gordon Huether restored it by assembling more than 4,000 pieces.
What’s Happening
The Watch Party
Join us beginning February 6 to celebrate and watch America’s athletes as they compete on the world’s largest stage.
