kids encyclopedia robot

2034 Winter Olympics facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
XXVII Olympic Winter Games
The Olympic rings and Paralympic agitos flank the words "Utah 2034"
Provisional logo
Opening February 10, 2034
Closing February 26, 2034
Stadium Rice–Eccles Stadium
Winter
French Alps 2030 TBD 2038
Summer
Brisbane 2032 TBD 2036

The 2034 Winter Olympics, also known as the XXVII Olympic Winter Games or Utah 2034, will be a huge international sports festival. Athletes from all over the world will gather in Utah, United States, to compete in many exciting winter sports. The games are planned for February 10–26, 2034.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose Utah to host these games. They first picked Salt Lake City in November 2023. The final decision was made in July 2024. Later, in November 2025, the games were named Utah 2034. This name shows that many places across Utah will help host the events, not just Salt Lake City. This will be the fifth time the United States hosts the Winter Olympics. Salt Lake City hosted before in 2002 Winter Olympics, making it one of the few cities to host more than once! It's also the first time a U.S. state, not just a city, is part of the official Olympic name.

How Utah Was Chosen to Host

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a special way of choosing host cities now. They talk with interested places over time. This "continuous dialogue" helps them find the best fit. A host can even be a whole region or state, not just one city!

Selecting the Host City

On November 29, 2023, the IOC suggested Salt Lake City as the top choice for the 2034 Winter Olympics. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) then entered into more detailed talks.

Finally, on July 24, 2024, during a big meeting in Paris, the IOC members voted. They officially chose Salt Lake City to host the 2034 Winter Olympics!

How the 2034 Winter Olympics Host Was Chosen
Region Country Yes Votes No Votes Didn't Vote
Salt Lake City  United States 83 6 6

Keeping Sports Fair

The IOC made sure that Utah agreed to follow very strict rules about fair play. These rules are set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It's super important that all athletes compete fairly and don't use any banned substances. The IOC wanted to make sure Utah would fully support these efforts to keep sports honest and equal for everyone.

Getting Ready for the Games

The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City left behind many great sports facilities. Places like Utah Olympic Park have been used for international competitions ever since! This means Utah already has a lot of what it needs for the 2034 Games. In 2022, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) saw that Salt Lake City was a perfect choice because of its existing sports venues.

The cost to host these amazing games is estimated to be about $3.9 billion.

Where the Events Will Be Held

Utah Olympic Park
Utah Olympic Park, shown here in 2007, was built for the 2002 Games and will be used again in 2034.

Many of the places used for the 2002 Olympics will be used again in 2034. However, there will be some cool changes!

  • Alpine skiing will happen at Snowbasin.
  • Exciting big air events will be at a new, temporary stadium built near the old medal plaza.
  • Curling will be played at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. This is because curling is becoming very popular in America!

In April 2024, Fraser Bullock, who helps organize the games, mentioned that new sports facilities built for professional teams in Salt Lake City might also be used.

Later that month, a big announcement was made! Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz basketball team, brought a professional hockey team to Salt Lake City. This team is now called the Utah Mammoth. As part of this, the Delta Center arena will get a big upgrade. In October 2024, it was confirmed that the Delta Center will host ice hockey for the Olympics. The Maverik Center will host figure skating and short track speed skating.

Venues in Salt Lake County

Venue Events Capacity Status
Rice–Eccles Stadium Opening and Closing Ceremonies 51,444 Existing
Delta Center Ice hockey (main venue) 16,070
Maverik Center, West Valley City Figure skating 10,100
Short track speed skating
Utah Olympic Oval, Kearns Speed skating 7,500 Existing, renovated
Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Plaza Snowboarding (big air) 25,000 Temporary
Freestyle skiing (big air)
Salt Palace Curling 6,500 Existing

Venues in Weber County

Venue Events Capacity Status
Snowbasin Resort Alpine skiing 19,000 Existing

Venues in Summit and Wasatch Counties

Venue Events Capacity Status
Soldier Hollow Biathlon 15,000 Existing, renovated
Cross-country skiing
Nordic combined
Utah Olympic Park Track Bobsleigh 12,000
Luge
Skeleton
Utah Olympic Park Jumps Ski jumping 15,000
Nordic combined
Utah Olympic Park Snowboarding (cross/parallel) 8,000 Existing
Freestyle skiing (cross)
Deer Valley Freestyle skiing (aerials/moguls) 12,000
Park City Snowboarding (halfpipe/slopestyle) 15,000
Freestyle skiing (halfpipe/slopestyle)

Venues in Utah County

Venue Events Capacity Status
Peaks Ice Arena Ice hockey 10,000 Existing, renovated

Marketing the Games

The Games were first called Salt Lake City—Utah 2034. This was because new rules allow regions, not just cities, to be Olympic hosts. On November 24, 2025, a new logo was shown, and the name became simply Utah 2034. Brad Wilson, the CEO of the organizing committee, explained that this new name includes all the areas helping to host the games. He wanted everyone in Utah to feel like they are part of "Team 2034." Salt Lake City mayor Erin Mendenhall said that while it felt a little sad for the city's name not to be in the main title, Salt Lake City will always be an official Olympic city. She hopes the games will make the whole state proud!

Watching the Games

On March 13, 2025, the IOC announced that Comcast would be a "strategic partner." This means NBCUniversal will continue to broadcast the Olympic Games in the United States through 2036. This big agreement is worth $3 billion! Comcast will also help the IOC with new technology for broadcasting and showing the games. NBCUniversal was especially excited because the 2034 Winter Olympics will be held right here in the United States.

See also

Black History Month on Kiddle
Famous African-American Athletes:
DeHart Hubbard
Wilma Rudolph
Jesse Owens
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Major Taylor
kids search engine
2034 Winter Olympics Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.