Ben Winston to Produce 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies (EXCLUSIVE)

In a major creative coup, Ben Winston has been entrusted with one of the most high-profile roles in global entertainment: executive producer and creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Winston, the acclaimed producer behind numerous spectacular live events, will collaborate with Scott Givens, a veteran Olympics producer who will serve as executive producer for production. This pairing is seen as a strategic move to combine Winston's innovative vision with Givens' deep institutional knowledge of the Games.

Their respective production companies, Fulwell 73 and FiveCurrents, have established a joint venture named FulFive to spearhead the massive undertaking for the LA28 organizing committee. Peter Rice, the former Disney executive now heading ceremonies and content for LA28, appointed in July, praised the duo as a "dream team" uniquely capable of delivering a monumental broadcast. The four-hour Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028, carries the immense pressure of not only launching the Games but also encapsulating the innovative and creative spirit of its host city, Los Angeles—a global entertainment capital.

The selection followed an extensive search, with LA28 leadership determined to meet the high bar set by the celebrated Paris 2024 ceremonies. Rice emphasized the unique challenge and opportunity of staging the event in a city synonymous with the entertainment industry. He told Variety, "There is no event of this scale in the world," underscoring the goal of fusing the colossal logistical operation with a distinctly Los Angeles brand of showmanship. This ambition is further complicated by the global expectation for the ceremonies to serve as a unifying celebration of athletes, many of whom compete for national pride rather than financial reward.

Winston's appointment was heavily influenced by his work on the Paris 2024 closing ceremony, where he directed the symbolic handover segment to Los Angeles. That memorable broadcast featured a dramatic stunt with Tom Cruise, who appeared to motorcycle out of the Paris stadium before parachuting near the iconic Hollywood sign. It also showcased performances by Los Angeles-native artists Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg, highlighting the city's profound cultural sway. Winston's extensive portfolio includes executive producing multiple Grammy Awards telecasts and high-profile concert specials such as "Adele: One Night Only" for CBS and "Elton John: A Farewell From Dodger Stadium" for Disney+.

His partner, Scott Givens, brings an unparalleled Olympic resume, having contributed to 15 Games and produced 63 ceremonies worldwide. His decades of service to the Olympic movement were recognized with the Olympic Order, the International Olympic Committee's highest honor. Givens described the ceremonies as the "ultimate challenge in live production," requiring the seamless integration of international celebrities, thousands of performers, and cutting-edge technology for a global audience numbering in the billions. The 2028 Opening Ceremony will be staged across two primary venues: the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—a venue that previously hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984—and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which will be temporarily rebranded as "2028 Stadium." The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for July 30, with the Paralympic Games set to run from August 15 to August 27.