California officials are projecting an $18 billion economic impact from the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, with organizers describing the unprecedented scale as equivalent to "seven Super Bowls a day simultaneously for 30 days."
The projections, shared during a California Senate Special Committee hearing on international sporting events, estimate the games will support approximately 90,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $700 million in state and local tax revenue.
"This truly is home game and we haven't hosted an Olympics in the United States since 2002," said Reynold Hoover, CEO of the LA28 Organizing Committee. "This will be the largest Olympics ever, and the first time, and also the largest Paralympics ever, and the first time we've had Paralympics in Los Angeles."
The economic impact figures are based on a 2017 study, but Hoover indicated the numbers could increase as planning progresses. "We're working actually on a new economic study to we think that those numbers will increase, because at the time the study was done in 2017, we didn't have some of the other venues identified," he said.
The games are expected to attract over 15 million visitors to the region, with more than 15,000 athletes competing. For the first time in Olympic history, there will be more female athletes competing than male athletes, Hoover noted.
"We expect about an $18 billion economic impact, not only to the region, but nationwide," Hoover told the committee. "That will include about 90,000 full time equivalent jobs, it'll be about a $6 billion labor income, and we think somewhere around $700 million in tax revenue to the state and local communities."
The massive undertaking will require between 45,000 to 50,000 volunteers, Hoover said, describing the volunteer program as "an amazing, powerful uniting event." The LA28 organizing committee's own headquarters will grow to about 4,000 full-time employees.
Senator Ben Allen, who chairs the committee, emphasized the transformative potential of the events. "As legislators, we all have a responsibility to ensure that California's involvement with the games delivers long term value to our residents and our taxpayers," Allen said.
The games will introduce five new sports to the Olympic program: baseball, softball, squash, cricket, lacrosse, and flag football. On the Paralympic side, para climbing will make its debut.
Beyond Los Angeles, the economic benefits are expected to ripple throughout California. Regional areas anticipate increased tourism, restaurant visits, entertainment, and hotel stays, contributing to local Transient Occupancy Tax development.
"Regional areas will have an increase in people going out to restaurants, people going to the entertainment shows, the zones there, the hotels, the TLT that is going to be developed for the local cities, and much more," said Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, who represents the Bay Area where World Cup matches will be held.
The state's tourism economy, which already generates $12 billion in state and local tax revenues and supports 1.2 million jobs, is expected to receive a significant boost from the games.
County of Los Angeles CEO Fesia Davenport highlighted the regional coordination required, noting that while the county is not the official host or financial guarantor, it will play a "significant, critical and essential role" in supporting the games throughout the region.
The organizing committee operates as a nonprofit with a $7.1 billion budget funded entirely through sponsorships, International Olympic Committee payments, broadcasting rights, licensing, merchandising, and ticket sales. Hoover announced that eight major sponsors have already committed $2 billion.
"There is no other place in the world that can host the games of this size and magnitude," Hoover said. "This is a no build games. So our only build will be temporary builds and temporary facilities. We will use existing iconic venues throughout the city of LA and the county."
The games will feature a historic 50-state Olympic torch relay, described by Hoover as "the thread that's going to bind the nation" and "a way that we're going to unify the world."
With 1,100 days remaining until the opening ceremonies, California officials are emphasizing the long-term benefits extending well beyond the games themselves. The economic projections represent just the beginning of what organizers hope will be decades of lasting impact from hosting the world's largest sporting event.
