PRESS RELEASE

City of Long Beach 
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd, 
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov

5/15/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 051524
Subject:
Long Beach City Council Approves Games Agreement for 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Long Beach to host the largest number of events other than City of Los Angeles
Contact:
City of Long Beach Office of Public Affairs and Communications
LongBeachMedia@longbeach.gov


LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
press@la28.org


Long Beach, CA – During the May 14, 2024, meeting, the Long Beach City Council approved with a 7 to 0 vote the Games Agreement with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28). As a Venue City, Long Beach will support the delivery of events during the LA28 Games and will host several sporting events in areas throughout the city. Long Beach is the second Venue City to finalize its Games Agreement with LA28. The LA28 Games are scheduled to take place July 14, 2028, through Aug. 27, 2028.

“Long Beach has a storied Olympic history, dating back to 1932, and we're proud to continue this tradition into the future as a major Venue City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our city to shine as a global tourism destination and leave a lasting legacy for our community. We look forward to welcoming athletes, visitors, and spectators from around the world to Long Beach.”

The City of Los Angeles is the Host City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games with select competitions and events located in other Southern California Venue Cities. As the Venue City set to host the largest number of events other than the City of Los Angeles, Long Beach will play a pivotal role during the LA28 Games. The Games Agreement serves to establish governing principles and commitments for the City’s participation as a Venue City while also providing a critical framework for how the City and LA28 will work together to coordinate and deliver a successful LA28 Games. Key elements include outlining the City’s role, such as the process for delivery of standard and enhanced public services and arranging for the reimbursement of City expenses through supplemental agreements currently in development between staff and LA28. The complete Games Agreement is available here.

"Long Beach was part of the 1932 and 1984 Games, and now we are excited to officially welcome Long Beach as a Venue City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. “LA28 looks forward to working with Mayor Richardson and the City Council to deliver another extraordinary Games experience along the beautiful waterfront of Long Beach in 2028."

Staff are in discussions with LA28 on a Venue Guarantee and plan to bring these to the City Council in June. These agreements will address specific geographic areas within Long Beach to support the LA28 Games Plan. Final decisions for what venues and sports will be held in Long Beach will be announced in the months ahead.

During the LA28 Games, Long Beach will transform areas of the city into an exciting atmosphere designed to offer a vibrant and lively experience for athletes, families and spectators.

In addition to the immediate excitement and global attention the LA28 Games will bring to Long Beach, staff are committed to forging a lasting legacy far beyond the close of the 2028 Games. Over the next year, staff will work with KPMG, its LA28 Games consultant, to develop a strategic plan focusing on the immediate and legacy impacts on arts, culture, tourism, small businesses and youth engagement. This plan will include opportunities for community input, enabling residents to help shape the Games’ legacy. Details regarding these opportunities will be shared over the next year and into the next several years as the work continues and the Games approach.

Additionally, the City’s Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, totaling $758 million and including over $187 million dedicated to 2028 Olympic Legacy projects, will create and enhance public spaces for recreation, arts and culture while fostering environments that promote sports, health and wellness. This multifaceted approach supports equitable access to legacy benefits across all communities and aligns with the City's 2030 Strategic Vision goal of improving the quality of life for all residents.

Over the past year, the City and LA28 have met regularly and worked collaboratively to complete negotiations on the Games Agreement. The terms secured not only align with the City's strategic vision but also demonstrate the dedication to advocating for the interests of residents. Staff are confident that the Games Agreement represents the best possible outcome for the City, reflecting a legacy-building partnership that prioritizes innovation and community-centered focus in the planning and implementation of the Games.

The City Council has previously taken action with respect to the LA28 Games on two separate occasions. On Sept. 20, 2016, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the LA 2024 Exploratory Committee to host a portion of the 2024 Olympic Games. On Feb. 21, 2017, the City Council authorized to enter into agreements with the LA 2024 Exploratory Committee (LA 2024) pertaining to the 2024 Olympic Bid. Since the last Council action, LA 2024 reorganized into LA28.

More information about the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games competitions assigned to Long Beach will be shared at a later date as new details emerge.

About the City of Long Beach 
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

About the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.