The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are anticipated to produce more than $13 billion in direct spending, generate $19.2 billion in total economic output and support more than 88,000 jobs between 2024 and 2028 in Los Angeles County, it was announced Monday.
Pasadena will host two sports during the 2028 Olympic Games: soccer and diving. The Rose Bowl Stadium will stage five matches from the final rounds of the men’s and women’s football tournaments. The nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center will host all Olympic diving competition.
The L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity and the county’s Chief Executive Office released the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Economic Impact Analysis and Goals Framework. The report stems from a motion introduced in May 2024 by county Supervisors Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell, who directed relevant departments to engage with stakeholders and conduct quantitative research for a comprehensive economic impact and opportunity analysis of the 2028 Games within the county.
With the 2028 Games two years away, the analysis is intended to highlight current and potential planning, program development and community engagement by the county as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for the event.
The analysis reviewed plans and investments by the county and LA28 through early 2026. It is limited to Los Angeles County and does not cover the Greater Los Angeles region. It is also restricted to public and private investments directly inspired by the Games Agreement, including Games-related capital projects, planned LA28 spending and increases in tourism.
Key findings of the report include:
- The 2028 Games are projected to generate $5.5 billion in public investment in improvements to the region’s infrastructure and boost demand for construction and skilled trades workers;
- As of February 2026, LA28 plans to spend $7.1 billion to organize and operate the Games;
- The 2028 Games could boost tourist spending by $1 billion above a typical summer, though without strategic planning, some regional tourist attractions and cultural destinations may struggle to attract tourists during the event;
- Downtown Los Angeles, Venice, Inglewood, Pasadena and Long Beach are expected to be among the most active parts of the county because several events are planned in those areas, which also are home to hotels and critical transit connections;
- Communities that host events but are not typical tourist destinations such as Carson, Exposition Park, Pomona and City of Industry are likely to experience an increase in traffic from visitors attending the 2028 Games, but risk becoming “passthrough areas” that struggle to capture visitor spending outside event venues;
- Traditional tourist hubs such as West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and coastal communities will host visitors and capture spending, but are not directly adjacent to Games venues and will require plans to improve connectivity; and
- Many parts of the county will be only marginally affected by the 2028 Games, so those neighborhoods will need additional programming and activation to participate in and reap economic and community benefits.
“The world will be watching Los Angeles in 2028, but my focus remains on the workers, small businesses and families who call this County home,” Solis said in a statement. “The Olympic and Paralympic Games present a unique opportunity to expand economic opportunity, strengthen our infrastructure and invest in communities that have too often been overlooked. By planning ahead and working intentionally, we can ensure these Games leave behind a legacy that benefits residents across Los Angeles County long after the closing ceremony.”
Supervisor Mitchell emphasized that while the 2028 Games will bring billions of dollars into the region, it is important for the county and LA28 to ensure economic opportunities are distributed equitably.
“If we want local workers, small businesses, and host communities to benefit, we have to be intentional about it. That means setting real targets, tracking whether we meet them, and being honest with the public when we fall short,” Mitchell said in a statement. “These goals and commitments are the starting point. Accountability is how we turn them into a legacy.”
The county and LA28 have made commitments to prioritize local businesses and workers, with a goal of directing about 75% of local spending within the county and a 40% local hiring goal, as well as making it easier for small businesses in the county to compete for and earn Games-related contracts. Other goals include improving transit and public spaces and showcasing the county’s cultural diversity.
County officials said they are already working toward those goals. The Department of Economic Opportunity has hosted sessions on certification and procurement readiness, among other efforts.
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