Why Los Angeles Can’t Back Out of Hosting the 2028 Olympics

Lately, voices across social media and beyond have called on Los Angeles to ditch its role as host of the 2028 Summer Olympics. A wildfire season that ravaged parts of the region, fierce immigration crackdowns, and a daunting municipal budget deficit have fueled unease—but canceling the Games is practically impossible. Once host cities and national committees sign the official Olympic contract, withdrawal is not an option. Let’s explore why L.A. is locked in, what’s at stake, and how the city is navigating one of the most complex commitments it has ever made.

The Olympic Contract: No Easy Exit

Los Angeles officially committed to hosting the 2028 Olympics back in September 2017, when Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Herb Wesson signed the Host City Contract (HCC) with the International Olympic Committee. That agreement spells out the procedures under which the IOC could cancel the Games—but it doesn’t offer the same out for the City of Los Angeles or the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. In short, the city cannot legally withdraw without facing steep penalties.
Expert arbitration lawyer Nathan O’Malley notes that ending the deal over political disagreements among local, state, or federal governments would invite major legal backlash.
Simply put: there’s no buyer’s remorse clause in Olympic contracts.

A Legacy of Hosting Despite Crises

The Olympics have weathered fierce opposition in the past. The 1932 Games took place during the Great Depression. Tokyo pushed forward through a global pandemic in 2021—and even popular uprisings before some Games didn’t derail the proceedings. Such moments show the resilience built into Olympic planning—and L.A., despite its current challenges, is following that same trajectory.

Funding, Sponsorship, and Unusual Flexibility

To reduce financial uncertainty and win support, LA28—the private organizing body—did something unprecedented: it sold venue naming rights to sponsors. They’ve already secured over 70 percent of a $2.5 billion sponsorship target.

At the city level, Los Angeles is deep in high-stakes negotiations over the "enhanced services" agreement, determining how much the city must pay—or be reimbursed—for services like security, sanitation, and traffic control. The terms must be finalized by October 1, 2025.

Community Tensions and Political Stakes

Some community members, editorialists, and columnists have urged L.A. to pull out, citing the federal government's involvement—particularly Trump’s leadership of a federal Olympics task force and his administration’s immigration policies. Columnist Gustavo Arellano feared the Games could become a political spectacle that undermines the city’s inclusive spirit.

Meanwhile, others in media and sports discourse criticize these calls as impractical or overly dramatic, arguing that L.A. is bound by contract and cannot simply walk away.

Wildfires, Rebuild, and Infrastructure Concerns

L.A.’s recent wildfires caused extensive damage and displacement, and some worried that certain venues—like Riviera Country Club or UCLA—could be compromised. While the core venues survived, the city now faces the dual challenge of hosting a global mega-event while rebuilding homes and infrastructure.

Still, every effort is being made to keep the Games on track. Planners emphasize resilience and adaptability, though their success remains to be seen.

Why Leaving Isn’t on the Table—Even Politically

On a purely political level, disparity between local and federal agendas makes exit nearly impossible. The federal government—notably in past administrations—has shown consistent interest in ensuring the Games move forward, and support from previous leadership helped seal the deal. The IOC also publicly expressed confidence in continued U.S. federal cooperation.

That backdrop—combined with contract obligations—makes finding a path to cancellation virtually unrealistic. The city’s identity, built in part around hosting events like the Olympics multiple times, also reinforces why backing out now would be tantamount to giving up on a defining civic moment.

What Happens If L.A. Sticks to the Plan

Assuming L.A. proceeds, the focus now shifts to critical timelines:

• Finalizing cost-sharing agreements before October 2025.
• Balancing federal funding, city capacities, wildfires recovery, and labor responsibilities.
• Meeting community expectations while protecting the city’s budget—especially given a $1 billion deficit.

If L.A. successfully navigates this, it could emerge with improved infrastructure, new opportunities for local unions, and a platform to showcase civic unity.

Conclusion

At this late stage, Los Angeles is effectively locked into hosting the 2028 Olympics. The contract gives no exit route. Despite wildfires, political friction, and budget problems, canceling would be far costlier—legally and reputationally—than finding a path forward.
The focus now is on steering through the challenges ahead while hoping that L.A.’s resilience, leadership, and early planning pay off in the end.