Los Angeles is gearing up to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a major player in global infrastructure, AECOM, has been chosen to lead the planning and management of the venue infrastructure. 

This partnership marks a significant step towards realizing a Games concept that emphasizes sustainability, financial responsibility, and community engagement. 

AECOM’s role is expansive, covering everything from architecture and engineering to program and construction management, ensuring the smooth delivery of the Games.

The LA28 Games are unique in that they will be the first privately financed Olympics since 1984, which also took place in Los Angeles. The Games’ plan is built around using existing venues and ongoing transportation investments in the region, avoiding the need for new, costly infrastructure projects. This approach aligns with the city’s commitment to a sustainable and fiscally sound event. 

AECOM played a crucial role in the bid process, acting as the primary technical and design lead. They coordinated with the International Olympic Committee, international sport federations, venue owners, and public entities to develop a comprehensive plan. Their work included design, cost estimation, transportation planning, and sustainability consulting.

AECOM’s transportation team specifically leveraged their deep knowledge of Southern California’s existing and planned transportation projects to ensure the Games would have an efficient and effective transportation system. This is crucial for handling the large influx of athletes, spectators, and officials expected during the event. The Games will feature over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports, more than 800 events, and over 15,000 athletes, making transportation a critical component of the overall success.

Troy Rudd, AECOM’s chairman and chief executive officer, expressed the company’s dedication to the project. “The Olympic and Paralympic Games unite the world through sport, and we are honored to contribute our expertise to help bring LA28’s vision to life,” Rudd said. “Just as athletes push the boundaries of performance in pursuit of excellence, our team brings deep technical expertise and relentless innovation to deliver world-class infrastructure that makes these moments possible. Building on AECOM’s legacy of delivering a better world, we are committed to championing the Olympic & Paralympic Movement and helping to build an unparalleled experience for spectators and participants at the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

AECOM’s experience in delivering infrastructure for major sporting events is extensive, with past involvement in the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2021 Olympics. For LA28, they will focus on creating temporary venues and overlays on existing permanent venues, improving the experience for both athletes and spectators. This approach allows for flexibility and reduces the long-term impact on the city’s infrastructure.

Casey Wasserman, LA28 chairperson and president, emphasized the innovative nature of the partnership. “Powered by our vision of uplifting LA’s state-of-the-art venues, our partnership with AECOM will deliver cutting-edge temporary infrastructure, creating sports experiences unlike the world has ever seen,” Wasserman said. “Los Angeles is a thriving center of innovation and culture. We’re excited to team up with AECOM to showcase the best of this dynamic city and drive progress within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.”

AECOM’s role extends beyond just design and planning. Their AECOM Hunt business will handle the procurement process, cost estimation, scheduling, and construction management of the venue infrastructure. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the project are handled efficiently and effectively.

The LA28 Games will be Los Angeles’ third time hosting the Olympics, having previously hosted in 1932 and 1984, and its first time hosting the Paralympics. The Games are operated by a privately funded, nonprofit organization, relying on revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality, ticketing, and contributions from the International Olympic Committee. 

AECOM’s long-term involvement, beginning with the LA 2024/LA28 Exploratory Committee, include contributions in design, cost estimation, and sustainability consulting.