New Report Outlines Economic Opportunities and County Goals and Commitments for Maximum Community Benefit and Legacy 

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the County’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) released the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Economic Impact Analysis and Goals Framework, outlining the economic impact and opportunities associated with the 2028 Games and establishing County goals and commitments that support countywide inclusion and mitigate anticipated negative impacts, leverage best practices from peer jurisdictions like Paris, and catalyze tangible benefit and legacy for local businesses, workers, and communities across all of Los Angeles County. The report highlights that the 2028 Games are anticipated to produce more than $13 billion in direct spending generating $19.2 billion in total economic output and supporting over 88,000 jobs between 2024 and 2028, creating the potential for significant job creation, public and social infrastructure improvement, and small business growth in the region.

The report responds to a May 2024 motion introduced by Los Angeles County Chair Hilda L. Solis and Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell directing CEO, DEO, and other relevant departments to engage with stakeholders and conduct quantitative research for a comprehensive economic impact and opportunity analysis of the Games within the County of Los Angeles. With approximately two years until the Games, and recognizing the Agreement is held between LA28 and the City of Los Angeles, the analysis is intended to highlight current and potential planning, program development, and community engagement driven by the County as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in 2028. The analysis leverages updates on plans and investments from the County and LA28 through early 2026. The analysis is limited to Los Angeles County and not the Greater Los Angeles region and restricted only to the public and private investments directly inspired by the Games Agreement where there will be amplified impacts and opportunities, including Games-related capital projects, LA28 planned spending, and increases in visitor spending.

“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,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “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.”

“The Games will bring billions of dollars into our region, but economic opportunity does not distribute itself 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. These goals and commitments are the starting point. Accountability is how we turn them into a legacy,” said Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.

Key economic findings include:

• Finding 1. The Games are projected to generate $5.5 billion in public investment in improvements to the region’s infrastructure. These investments will boost demand for construction laborers and skilled trades and become a critical part of the Games’ ongoing legacy.  
• Finding 2. As of February 2026, LA28 plans to spend $7.1 billion to organize and operate the Games. Games-related contracts can create opportunities for local businesses and local workers if the right support is in place.  
• Finding 3. The Games could boost tourist spending by $1 billion above and beyond a typical summer. However, without strategic planning, regional tourist attractions, and cultural destinations may struggle to attract visitors during the Games. 
• Finding 4. During the Games, Downtown Los Angeles, Inglewood, Pasadena, Long Beach, and Venice will be some of the most active parts of LA County—featuring large venues, thousands of hotel rooms, and excellent transit connectivity. 
• Finding 5. Communities that host events but are not typical tourist destinations may struggle to capture local benefits. Places like Carson, Exposition Park, Pomona, and City of Industry are likely to see increased traffic from visitors attending the Games but risk becoming “passthrough areas” that struggle to capture visitor spending outside event venues. 
• Finding 6. Traditional tourist hubs like West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and coastal communities will host visitors and capture spending, but are not directly adjacent to Games venues and will require strategies to improve connectivity.  
• Finding 7. Many parts of LA County will only be marginally affected by the Games. These neighborhoods will need additional programming and activation to participate in and reap economic and community benefits. 

The analyses underscore the potential for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to generate immense economic opportunity, and the following goals and commitments position LA County to host the most accessible and inclusive Games in history – channeling billions of dollars in new spending to local businesses and underserved communities, improving public infrastructure, and strengthening the region’s status as the global capital of sports and entertainment. 

Key goals and commitments acknowledge and expand upon those highlighted by LA28 in their LA28 Impact and Sustainability Plan and include:

• Goal 1 | Maximize Local Investment and Benefit: With over $13.6 billion expected in direct Games-related spending, the County can maximize regional benefits by prioritizing local businesses and local workers. This includes 75% local spending in LA County and 40% local hiring commitments with County investments.
• Goal 2 | Unlock Small Business Opportunities: LA’s small business community is the backbone of the regional economy. The County can remove barriers to help small businesses compete for Games-related contracts and benefit from increased visitor spending. This includes 25% small business spending and 10% hyperlocal and microbusiness spending.  
• Goal 3 | Enhance Mobility and the Transit Experience: The Games are a catalyst to improve and expand LA’s public transportation network. By supporting investments in public transit and sustainable mobility, the County can transform how residents and visitors navigate the region during and after the Games. 
• Goal 4 | Improve Public Spaces: The Games can serve as a catalyst for both temporary and permanent public realm improvements. The County, local municipalities, and LA28 can all mobilize funding and technical assistance to turn community-led plans into reality. 
• Goal 5 | Protect Vulnerable Angelenos: Low-income communities, unhoused neighbors, and other vulnerable populations face new risks and challenges as the Games approach. The County must ensure that the Games serve to benefit all Angelenos—regardless of income or background. 
• Goal 6 | Showcase Cultural Diversity: LA County is one of the most diverse and creative regions in the world. The Games create an opportunity for residents and businesses to share their unique communities on a global stage. 

“The 2028 Games will touch communities across Los Angeles County, including venues in our unincorporated areas and several cities for which we provide services, and the County is committed to ensuring we are ready to welcome residents and visitors alike. That means aligning departments across the County and working closely with our partners to support safe and accessible events. Just as importantly, we want residents throughout Los Angeles County to have meaningful opportunities to participate in the economic benefits of the Games,” said Joseph M. Nicchitta, Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles County.

The County is already activating these goals and commitments through its public and social infrastructure investments with County departments as well as a new Path to 2028 initiative by DEO that prepares workers and businesses for economic opportunity as it comes online.

As part of Path to 2028 and its commitment for capacity-building for 1,000 small businesses, DEO is partnering with cities and unincorporated areas on a city-by-city roadshow, hosting certification and procurement readiness sessions for public sector and LA28 contracts and referrals for deeper technical assistance and capital. Two hundred and forty-five unique businesses have attended in Pico Rivera, Palmdale, and Torrance with upcoming events with the City of Los Angeles at the Sports & Entertainment Procurement Summit on September 28th and West LA event on October 8th. Sign-up by cities and businesses is open now at: opportunity.lacounty.gov/pathto2028.

Further, as part of its commitment for training for 1,000 local workers, DEO is releasing a Request for Applications (RFA) with Dalberg with nearly $2 million in 2028 Games-focused High Road Training Partnerships, worker-centered, industry-informed training programs that will support industries requiring surge capacity for the events and pathways for economic opportunity in the long-term. The RFA will open on September 28th at: opportunity.lacounty.gov/hrtp/.

“This report gives us a roadmap to move from opportunity to action. Our focus now is activating these findings so that the economic benefits of the Games reach businesses, workers, and communities across Los Angeles County, whether that means preparing local businesses to compete for contracts, connecting residents to quality jobs, driving visitors and spending into our commercial corridors, or creating opportunities for communities beyond Games venues to participate. The work between now and 2028 is about building the partnerships, programs, and pathways that can turn this global moment into lasting local economic opportunity,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of DEO.

The full report is available now here. Visit lacounty.gov/olympics to learn more about the County’s broader preparations for the Games, including its 88 for 28 initiative. Visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/pathto2028  to sign up for programs and resources for workers and businesses as the County advances its goals and commitments.

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