The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games could bring around 2 million visitors to Greater Los Angeles, generating an estimated $1.6 billion to $4.3 billion in direct visitor spending in Los Angeles County alone. For hotels, restaurants, retailers and tourism operators, that is the most immediately relevant forecast in a new economic study commissioned by LA28.
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s analysis estimates total economic output of $20.5 billion to $40.6 billion across the five-county region. That headline figure covers several years of preparation and hosting, including construction, operations and other spending. It is not a forecast of tourism revenue or a measure of profit from the Games.
Visitor Spending and Better Connections
The visitor forecast points to demand extending beyond competition venues. Accommodation, meals, shopping and local services could all benefit as spectators build trips around Olympic and Paralympic events. Official hospitality provider On Location has already launched ticket-inclusive packages, giving travel sellers an early opportunity to serve event-focused customers.
Infrastructure represents the largest source of projected economic impact. The study identifies approximately $8.35 billion in Games-related investments covering transportation, airports, mobility, accessibility and venue updates. These projects have been accelerated or undertaken in connection with the event.
LA28’s no-build approach to Games venues relies on existing facilities rather than new permanent competition venues. That shifts attention toward how visitors reach venues and move around the region, with potential benefits for residents and travelers beyond 2028.
Separate commercial investments also reflect preparations for increased demand. Delta’s planned second Delta One Lounge at LAX is part of its airport expansion ahead of the Games. Such projects illustrate how the event is influencing the wider visitor experience, although their individual contribution should not be assumed from the study’s headline totals.
The Tourism Gain Depends on Who Stays Away
The projections require careful interpretation. LAEDC uses two approaches: one counts new spending entering the region from outside, while the other measures gross economic activity within it. The resulting range reflects different accounting frameworks, rather than a single guaranteed return.
Visitor displacement is particularly important for tourism. Some people who would normally visit may avoid the destination during the Games. Economist Andrew Zimbalist told Politico that the net benefit depends partly on whether Olympic arrivals outweigh those lost visits. Organizers said displaced tourists were accounted for in the analysis.
For local businesses, the opportunity is therefore broader than filling rooms during major competition dates. Converting event attendance into dining, cultural visits and longer stays could spread spending further, while retaining regular customers would help protect demand outside the Olympic audience.
The study also projects 126,000 to 224,000 jobs supported across multiple industries, not solely tourism. Its central message for the visitor economy is substantial potential demand, with the eventual benefit depending on spending patterns, access and how successfully the region serves both Games visitors and its usual travelers.
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