By Alyson Garcia

In 2028, the United States will host the Olympic Games in the heart of its entertainment industry: Los Angeles, California. The City of Angels has hosted the international two-week long event twice in the past: 1932 and 1984. The third time is highly anticipated for many “Angelenos” and Americans alike. With this, Los Angeles will accompany London and Paris as the only cities to host the Games three times.

Multiple athletic events will take place in many Southern Californians’ backyards. The Opening Ceremony and track-and-field will take place at USC’s Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, volleyball will be hosted in Anaheim, and surfing will be at Trestles Beach, to name a few. 

Many UCLA Bruins, both alumni and current students, are elated as well, as the university will be hosting the athletes’ Olympic Village. Contestants will be housed, fed, and kept on campus. In Fall 2021, UCLA unveiled its newest dorms– Olympic Hall and Centennial Hall– to its students. These two halls were made in part for future athletes to enjoy new, modern residential spaces. 

Many Bruins will also be partaking in the games themselves. In total, 436 alumni have participated in the Olympics in the past. In 2024, 49 individuals went to the Olympics: 40 of them were students and 9 of them were coaches and faculty. Of the 49 students, 14 Olympic medals were won. UCLA hopes to further its legacy, as many athletes and faculty are seeking to make their mark in the upcoming Games.

With UCLA being the nation’s top public university for the past eight years, its prominence as the host for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Village can boost its application rates and lead to future college applicants to consider it as an option. Its state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Ronald Reagan Medical Center, will be utilized for medical needs. UCLA’s commitment to innovation will be discernable in student-led projects such as MedalUp, an app that seeks to improve international engagement during the Olympics. The university is also at the forefront of sustainability, as it is encouraging environmentally-friendly transportation through its electric vehicle charging roadway. Through these investments, it is evident that UCLA plays a significant role in the Olympics.

Because of the palpable excitement in the air of California’s beloved city hosting the prestigious event, Los Angeles is seeking to undertake many actions to prepare. Many existing venues and facilities that have been iconic staples for Southern California will undergo renovations so that they are in top shape for the athletes to use. These include the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Kia Forum.

Los Angeles is also prepared to amp up its transportation services, as new rail lines– such as the Inglewood People Mover– are in development to ease travel for both tourists and locals. 98 miles of metro rails and 93 stations will be constructed to improve traffic congestion and elevate connectivity. Metro received a grant of $900 million to fund its infrastructure plans, as well as $800 million in federal funding. The goal of these projects is to not only allow visitors to easily move between venues, but also to allow Angelenos to “reimagine the transportation network as something that will be their first choice,” according to Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. 

Regarding crime and safety, Los Angeles security officials were deployed to the 2024 Paris Games in order to gain insight on how to adequately prepare for such a large-scale event. As of 2025, Los Angeles has a crime rate of 3.115%. Because the Olympics are designated as a national special security event, the US Secret Service is the head department that will monitor security intel. 

The 2028 Olympics have a $6.9 billion budget, and the event is dependent on selling tickets, receiving sponsorships, and receiving payments from the International Olympic Community in order to finance the competition. With Los Angeles hosting not only the Olympics, but also the 2026 Fifa World Cup and the Super Bowl in 2027, it is crucial that the city invests in critical infrastructure in order to properly manage these events.

Moreover, Mayor Karen Bass and the city of Los Angeles are working on promoting a greener city. Mayor Bass is committed to reducing the city’s carbon footprint, promoting vehicles that do not emit greenhouse gases, and undergoing water conservation techniques. 

Los Angeles is also seeking to quell its homelessness crisis, as it is ambitious in reducing its unsheltered population by half. Initiatives such as the Inside Safe Program will aim to clear homeless encampments and provide temporary housing, with the objective of eventually becoming permanent housing. Moreso, the Skid Row Action Plan is committed to address Los Angeles’ infamous Skid Row street, which is a location where individuals without shelter populate to. 

Despite concerns about political tensions in the United States, heightened since the 2025 presidential inauguration, Los Angeles remains celebrated for its diversity, cultural richness, and welcoming spirit. Ensuring that all athletes and visitors feel safe and included is a top priority for organizers of the Games.

Yes, there is much work to be done to prepare for the event, but there is also much to look forward to. Los Angeles icon Kendrick Lamar is looking to headline as an entertainer at the Opening Ceremony, according to LA 2028 organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman. As well, the Olympic Games will bolster California’s economy. Tourism, jobs, and infrastructure will have a lasting impact in Los Angeles. Lodging, food, and accommodations will be invested into the city, with studies estimating that the Olympics could lead to billions of dollars in revenue. The long-term benefits will be prevalent, as Los Angeles will be acknowledged around the world as a desirable place for investment and travel. Los Angeles is seeking to recover from its devastating 2025 January Wildfires, and its return to the global stage is set to be a major one.