LA28 Thursday named Ben Winston as executive producer and creative director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Winston, who was behind the Paris-to-LA Olympic handover in 2024, will join veteran Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies producer Scott Givens to lead artistic plans of the ceremonies.
“Ben Winston and Scott Givens are two of the most accomplished producers in live entertainment today,” Peter Rice, LA28 head of ceremonies and content, said in a statement.
“Their combined expertise brings together the creative storytelling and production excellence needed to deliver Ceremonies worthy of the Olympic and Paralympic stage that will showcase Los Angeles as the entertainment capital of the world while celebrating the athletes who inspire us all,” Rice added.
Winston is a 14-time Emmy Award winner. He led the creative foundation for the Olympic handover celebration, which featured Tom Cruise, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Billie Eilish, H.E.R. and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
He produced various shows and entertainment events such as “The Grammys,” “The Late Show with James Corden” and “Friends: The Reunion,” as well as multiple specials such as “Adele: One Night Only” and “Elton John: A Farewell from Dodger Stadium.”
“I couldn’t be more honored, grateful and delighted to take on this role, and to work alongside Peter, Scott and the whole LA28 team, to create unforgettable Ceremonies that will truly inspire and entertain, while cerebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirit and the creative energy of this city,” Winston said in a statement.
Givens has produced more than 400 major live events and held roles with 15 Olympic Games and produced 63 global ceremonies. He received the prestigious Olympic Order in 2022, one of the highest honors afforded by the International Olympic Committee, according to LA28.
“These ceremonies represent the ultimate challenge in live production — bringing together global headliners, thousands of performers, best-in-class technologies and split-second timing on the world’s biggest stage,” Givens said in a statement.
Additionally, a joint venture between FulWell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, called FulFive, will help produce the ceremonies, led by Givens and Ryann Lauckner as co-CEOs.
FulWell bills itself as a “global entertainment group creating premium content, direct-to-consumer platforms and strategic partnerships,” according to its website.
Founded in 2005, FiveCurrents is a leading entertainment and production company specializing in live events, immersive experiences and large-scale ceremonies.
The 2028 Games will mark the third time Los Angeles is a host city, and the first time as host for the Paralympic Games.
The 2028 Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on July 14, 2028, shared between the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. The Olympic Closing Ceremony will take place July 30 at the Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the Paralympic Opening Ceremony will take place on Aug. 15 at SoFi. The Paralympic Closing Ceremony is expected to be conducted Aug. 27 at the Coliseum.
More information on timing will be shared with the Paralympic competition schedule at a later date, LA28 officials said.