There’s something kind of surreal about walking through UCLA on a normal Saturday and realizing Olympic medalists and world champions are about to race a few minutes away from your dorm.
On May 23 LA Track Fest is returning to Drake Stadium, bringing together some of the fastest runners in the world for a night of professional track and field right in the middle of campus. Hosted by Sound Running, the meet has become one of the biggest track events in the country and honestly feels very fitting for LA right now with the 2028 Olympics getting closer.
The lineup this year includes athletes like Gabby Thomas, Josh Kerr, Michael Norman, Emma Coburn, Donavan Brazier and pole vaulter Sandi Morris competing under the lights at UCLA. Even if you don’t follow track closely, it’s hard not to appreciate how insane it is to watch athletes at this level compete in person.
And the vibe of LA Track Fest is very different from what people picture when they think of track meets. It feels more like a summer event than a long sports competition — music playing throughout the stadium, sunset races, people hanging around the infield, and crowds that are actually into it. There’s also something cool about seeing Drake Stadium filled with both serious track fans and random UCLA students who just decided to stop by for the night.
The event is also surprisingly accessible. Tickets are not outrageously expensive, especially compared to most sporting events in LA right now, and since it’s literally on campus, it’s one of the easier ways to experience elite-level sports without needing to drive across the city. Tickets and event information
With LA 2028 getting closer, events like this also make it feel like the city is slowly shifting more attention toward track and field again. For UCLA students especially, it’s a cool reminder that some of the best athletes in the world are competing right here in Westwood.
So if you hear music coming from Drake Stadium on May 23 or see people walking around campus in racing spikes and vintage track jackets, LA Track Fest is probably happening; and honestly, it might be worth stopping by.