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LA Faces Undefined Costs as 2028 Olympics Approach
Negotiations over 'enhanced city resources' remain unresolved, raising concerns for taxpayers.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Los Angeles taxpayers could face significant, undefined costs as the city prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Negotiations between the city and the LA28 organizing committee regarding financial responsibility for 'enhanced city resources' - services beyond normal operations required to host the Games - are ongoing and, as of February 18, 2026, remain unresolved.
Why it matters
Without a finalized agreement on 'enhanced city resources,' Los Angeles lacks firm cost estimates for essential services like police, sanitation, fire department, and transportation. The potential financial burden extends beyond Los Angeles, as other host cities, including Inglewood, may also incur 'enhanced city resource' costs.
The details
The core of the issue centers around an 'Enhanced City Resources Master Agreement,' or ECRMA, which is intended to clarify what the LA28 committee will cover financially and when. The deadline for signing the ECRMA was October 1, 2025, but it remains incomplete. The situation is further complicated by uncertainty surrounding security expenses, as the scope of the secure areas around venues and who will pay for security outside those zones remains unclear.
- The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the Games will continue through July 30, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 15-27.
- The deadline for signing the ECRMA was October 1, 2025, but it remains incomplete.
The players
Eric Garcetti
The mayor of Los Angeles who signed the Host City contract in 2017, deferring crucial financial details to be negotiated at a later date.
Karen Bass
The current mayor of Los Angeles who has called for the resignation of LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman after the board found no reason for him to step down.
Casey Wasserman
The chair of the LA28 organizing committee whose name appeared in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, leading to calls for his resignation.
What’s next
The City Council will continue to raise questions regarding sustainability, social justice, and local business opportunities. It is also possible that negotiations will continue to stall, leaving Los Angeles taxpayers vulnerable to unforeseen expenses.
The takeaway
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the financial responsibilities for hosting the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles raises significant concerns for taxpayers, as the city lacks firm cost estimates for essential services and the potential financial burden extends beyond the city itself.
