Los Angeles wildfires raise doubts about 2028 Olympics

As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, devastating neighborhoods and threatening key infrastructure, concerns have emerged about the city’s ability to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The ongoing Palisades Fire has destroyed thousands of structures, displaced nearly 200,000 people, and encroached on venues planned for the Games, turning what was once hailed as a “big-ticket attraction” into what experts fear could become an “uninsurable mega-event.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom struck a hopeful tone despite the devastation, saying, “My humble position, and it’s not just being naively optimistic, [is that this tragedy] only reinforces the imperative of moving quickly, doing it in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”

However, criticism has mounted, with some calling for the Games to be relocated. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk bluntly remarked, “If you can’t fill a fire hydrant, you aren’t qualified to host the Olympics. Move them to Dallas, or Miami, so the world’s athletes can compete in a place capable of actually safely building and running something.”

The Palisades Fire, which is currently only 11% contained, has placed evacuation orders near the UCLA campus, the planned site of the Olympic Village.

Other venues, such as the Riviera Golf Club, SoFi Stadium, and Carson Stadium, are also within proximity of the fire zones.

While the LA28 committee has committed to using existing or temporary venues to minimise costs, experts warn that the fires could derail these plans.

Professor Simon Chadwick of Skema Business School described the situation as a “financial nightmare,” adding, “The infrastructure challenges now facing the city are immense. It will be a race to get ready for staging the Games and a financial nightmare dealing with everything that needs building or rebuilding.”

Adding to the complexity are the changes in the Olympic program for 2028.

The Games will feature new sports, including flag football, squash, and lacrosse, aimed at modernising the event and appealing to a broader audience.

These additions reflect the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) effort to maintain the Games’ relevance, particularly among younger fans.

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Meanwhile, sports such as weightlifting and modern pentathlon are set to be removed, a decision tied to both declining interest and efforts to address governance concerns in some sports federations.

The financial implications of the fires extend beyond immediate infrastructure concerns.

Insurance costs for the Games, which are already expected to be significant, could escalate further.

“The number of insurance companies willing to foot the bill for that risk are dwindling, and those willing to do it will be charging huge amounts,” Chadwick explained.

The organising committee will likely face increased costs for fire prevention and emergency preparedness, placing additional pressure on an already tight budget.

Despite the challenges, some experts remain confident that Los Angeles can overcome these obstacles.

Rich Perelman, a former executive with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, dismissed fears that the fires would disrupt the Games.

“The devastating 2025 Southern California fires pose no threat to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he wrote, noting that none of the planned venues have been directly impacted. He added,

“Los Angeles can host the 2028 Games [because of] its wealth of facilities. If Riviera were to be impacted, there are more than a dozen other championship courses in the area.”

However, critics argue that hosting the Olympics may not yield the promised economic benefits.

Research has consistently shown that host cities often face cost overruns and fail to achieve lasting financial gains.

“For no other type of megaproject is this the case, not even the construction of nuclear power plants or the storage of nuclear waste,” a 2024 report from Oxford University stated.

Sports economist Andrew Zimbalist warned that the Games can drain resources from essential projects and lead to displacement and gentrification, saying, “Those kinds of claims [of economic transformation] are outlandish and inaccurate.”

As the fires continue to burn, Los Angeles faces a dual challenge: rebuilding in the aftermath of devastation while preparing to host a global event.

Governor Newsom expressed optimism, saying, “This is an opportunity for [California and Los Angeles] to shine.” Whether the city can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but the wildfires and the evolving scope of the Games have added urgency—and uncertainty—to the road to 2028.

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