2028 Los Angeles Olympics preparations are underway with Los Angeles receiving the Olympic flag during the Paris 2024 closing ceremony. Mayor Karen Bass returned to LA with the flag and handed it off symbolically to actor Tom Cruise, who kicked off the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a cinematic tribute.
Los Angeles will become the third city to host the Summer Games three times, following its previous roles in 1932 and 1984. This ambitious edition promises to blend classic Olympic spirit with Southern California’s innovation and youthfulness.
LA’s Olympic Legacy and Third Hosting in 2028
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics mark the city’s third time hosting the Summer Games. The first time was in 1932, during the Great Depression, when LA was the only bidder. Despite the global crisis, the games featured stars like Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who won gold in women’s javelin and hurdles.
In 1984, LA brought the world a successful, profitable, and visually memorable Olympics. That year’s highlights included Rafer Johnson lighting the torch, Carl Lewis winning four golds, Mary Lou Retton becoming an American gymnastics icon, and a young Michael Jordan helping the U.S. basketball team take gold.
Janet Evans, four-time Olympic gold medalist and now chief athlete officer for the LA28 committee, said the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be “youthful, modern, and optimistic.”
Passing the Olympic Torch with Style
During the Paris handover, Mayor Bass said the city wants the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to be inclusive and celebratory for everyone, even those not attending in person. Paris’ watch parties and public events inspired LA leaders to imagine new ways to bring Olympic spirit to the wider public.
Joining Bass were LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman, councilmember Traci Park, and Council President Paul Krekorian, who said LA aims to become the only city in history to successfully host three financially positive Olympic Games.
Venues: Renovation Over Construction
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will utilize existing infrastructure rather than building new stadiums. “It’s a no-build games,” said Evans.
Opening ceremonies will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, along with the historic Memorial Coliseum. SoFi, which has hosted Super Bowls and concerts, will serve as the largest Olympic swimming venue ever.
Intuit Dome, the new home of the NBA’s Clippers, will host basketball. The downtown Crypto.com Arena will be the site for gymnastics. Meanwhile, Long Beach will host triathlon and marathon swimming, with environmental attention given to water cleanliness.
This shoreline also featured in the handover ceremony’s pre-recorded performances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre.
Transit Overhaul for Olympic Readiness
Transportation remains a concern for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but city officials are confident they can replicate the relative traffic success of 1984. Plans include encouraging businesses to stagger work hours or allow remote work during the 17-day games.
Since the last Olympics, LA has built a subway system, with extensions underway to better connect major Olympic venues. The city originally planned 28 new transit projects; while some were canceled, key lines are moving ahead, including one connecting downtown to UCLA, site of the Olympic Village.
The Inglewood People Mover, a three-stop rail line, initially had $1 billion in federal support. However, due to political opposition, the funding was reduced by $200 million. Its completion timeline for 2028 is still uncertain.
Metro recently received $900 million from the Biden administration, with $139 million directed specifically toward Olympic-related upgrades. CEO Stephanie Wiggins emphasized using the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a springboard to reimagine local transportation.
Security, Crime, and Homelessness
While crime rates have dropped significantly since 1984, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics come amid rising concerns about urban safety. The Olympics are designated a National Special Security Event, putting the U.S. Secret Service in charge of security planning.
LA officials are studying security approaches used in Paris. Still, the growing visibility of homelessness in LA presents a challenge. Past Olympics—including Paris, Rio 2016, and others—relocated unhoused residents, prompting criticism of “social cleansing.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that cities failing to address encampments may lose funding, hinting at stricter state-level interventions ahead of 2028.
Tourism, Finances, and Sponsorships
Adam Burke of the LA Tourism and Convention Board called the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics the “next logical destination.” Before then, LA will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and another Super Bowl in 2027.
The local hotel industry is preparing, with 9,000 new hotel rooms added since 2020 and more underway. LA28’s budget for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics stands at $6.9 billion, with revenue expected from ticket sales, IOC payments, and corporate sponsorships. So far, organizers have secured just over $1 billion out of the $2.5 billion sponsorship goal.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics promise a unique blend of legacy, innovation, and civic pride. With detailed plans to leverage existing infrastructure, improve transit, and boost security, LA aims to set a new standard for hosting. Whether it’s the Olympic Village at UCLA, new transit lines, or the opening ceremony at SoFi, the city’s commitment to an accessible, sustainable, and spectacular global celebration is already underway.
India’s PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen Shine at Indonesia Open
[…] 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: Bold Plans, Big Dreams, and Major Changes Unveiled […]