The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have sparked concerns about the city’s ability to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, raising questions about safety, preparedness, and infrastructure resilience. While none of the 80 planned Olympic venues have been directly impacted, the fires-leaving neighborhoods in ashes and claiming over 24 lives-underscore the region’s growing vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
Experts warn that the fires, combined with the potential effects of climate change, pose significant challenges for hosting such a global event. Simon Chadwick, a professor at Skema Business School, highlighted the issue, saying, “You do have to wonder whether the current situation might be repeated, possibly even during the Games. This raises serious questions, not least about insurance and whether Los Angeles’ big-ticket 2028 attraction might become an uninsurable mega-event.”
The proximity of wildfires to critical locations like the Riviera Country Club, set to host the Olympic golf tournament, adds to the tension. However, historical data offers some reassurance: July, the month of the Games, is outside the Santa Ana winds season, which played a key role in last week’s infernos. Still, concerns about unpredictable climate events linger.
Lessons and preparations
Bill Deverell, a history professor at USC, sees this crisis as an opportunity for improvement. “Once this is over, there’s no question that lessons will be learned to mitigate such disasters in the future,” he said. Governor Gavin Newsom echoed this optimism, emphasizing collaboration and swift action to ensure readiness for both the Olympics and other major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 Super Bowl. “This only reinforces the imperative of moving quickly and cooperatively,” Newsom told NBC.
The logistical and financial hurdles are undeniable. Olympic venues are spread across a wide area, compounding traffic and transit issues in a city already struggling with infrastructure challenges. While a $7 billion budget is funded by LA2028 through sponsorships and ticket sales, the city is liable for cost overruns-a financial risk amplified by the disaster’s aftermath.
Despite calls from critics like Charlie Kirk to relocate the Games, most experts agree that cancellation is unlikely. “The idea of canceling or moving the Olympics isn’t realistic,” Deverell noted. Optimism remains that LA can deliver a successful Olympics, leveraging lessons from its 1984 and 1932 Games while addressing today’s unique challenges.