LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Chair Janice Hahn to prepare the County to host two of the largest sporting events in the world – the 2026 FIFA World Cups and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In the summer of 2026, the FIFA Men’s World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Los Angeles County (SoFi Stadium in Inglewood) was chosen as one of the 16 locations across the three countries to host the 2026 tournament and may even host the final match. Then, in 2028, the City of Los Angeles will host the Paralympic Games for the first time and the Summer Olympic Games for the third time.

“To ensure a positive outcome, it is important for Los Angeles County to take proactive steps toward preparing for these upcoming events,” said Supervisor Solis. These events will require various goods and services, and the increased number of tourists and visitors will likely heighten demand for local businesses like restaurants. At the same time, we should think about possible unintended consequences. This motion will help us understand and plan for just that.”

Major international sports competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games impact the local and regional economy, environment, and culture. Each of these events is anticipated to bring hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of visitors to Los Angeles. This influx will elevate demand for hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses. The services supporting the event and the tourism surge will generate employment and other economic opportunities.

However, these events can also raise apprehensions, including exacerbating existing inequities, displacement pressures, or environmental harms. These impacts, both positive and negative, extend beyond the jurisdiction hosting or sponsoring the event, impacting the entire region.

Recognizing these challenges early, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis on December 15, 2015, entitled “Preparing for Olympics in Los Angeles County.” That motion tasked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to review the City of Los Angeles’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and prepare Los Angeles County staff to engage the City of Los Angeles regarding aspects of the City’s proposal.

“I will never forget going to the games in 1984. These are special moments for the entire world, and if the County can bring its expertise and resources to bear, we can make sure they will be special moments for our communities as well,” said Chair Hahn. “With Olympic and Paralympic venues stretching across Southern California, spanning multiple jurisdictions, our LA County agencies have a vital role to play in making these incredible events a success.”

On May 2, 2023, Supervisor Solis authored a motion entitled “Uplifting Arts, Culture, and Recreation during the 2023, 2026, and 2027 World Cups and 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games,” which, among other tasks, directed the CEO, in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Arts and Culture, to support the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) with its open streets and recreation programs to celebrate the 2026 FIFA Men’s’ World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and, if hosted in Los Angeles, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. That effort is underway. Additionally, it tasked County departments to plan view parties and other events to celebrate this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Solis and Hahn’s motion, which passed today, directs Los Angeles County’s CEO to take a proactive approach by forming a working group of County departments to identify how the County can leverage these events to further County priorities and preemptively mitigate unintended consequences. Additionally, it directs the CEO to collaborate with the City of Los Angeles, Metro, LA28, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, and other local and regional organizations, to address the regional impacts of these events.

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